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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHIEF ATTORNEY DENNIS A. WHITE
WHEREAS, Dennis A. White graduated from Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School. In 1987, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, then obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity dedicated to uplifting people and communities; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of Dennis A. White as the Chief Attorney of the Forest Preserves of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, he has led the legal department for 12 years and served as a member of Senior Staff managing the day-to-day operations and significantly contributing to the policies and strategic direction of the Forest Preserves; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure at the Forest Preserves, Mr. White led the legal efforts to have the Forest Preserves declared in compliance with the Shakman decrees exemplifying his and the Forest Preserves’ leaders’ commitment to barring political patronage; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White also successfully defended the Forest Preserves and the taxpayers of Cook County in multiple lawsuits including several involving the acquisition of a 400-acre horse farm in Barrington Hills; and
WHEREAS, Chief Attorney Dennis A. White is known throughout the Forest Preserves for his common-sense legal approach, sound legal advice, and his thoughtful and calm approach to legal matters; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White served as the interim head of the Cook County Pension Board for a two-month period in 2018; and
WHEREAS, prior to his tenure at the Forest Preserves, Mr. White owned his own realty firm and was an attorney for General Motors; and
WHEREAS, in his downtime, Mr. White serves as the Board Chair of the South Side YMCA Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White currently is a proud Cook County resident in the Village of Flossmoor with his wife, Tiffany, and his children Ashley and Xavier; and
WHEREAS, Mr. White will continue his public service career as the Executive Director of the $3.8 billion Chicago Municipal Employees' Annuity & Benefit Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Toni Preckwinkle, along with the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners, General Superintendent Arnold L. Randall, and on behalf of all citizens of Cook County do hereby extend their thanks to Dennis A. White for his dedication, contribution, leadership, and outstanding service and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to Mr. Dennis A. White in recognition of his significant contributions to the Forest Preserves of Cook County.