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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF JOHN STERENBERG
WHEREAS, John W. Sterenberg, Jr. retired from his position as the Licensing & Land Use Records Manager at the Forest Preserves of Cook County (the “Forest Preserves”) after ten (10) years of service and after a thirty-three (33) year career as a private-sector land surveyor for Area Survey Company; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg is an Illinois Licensed Land Surveyor and has maintained this professional license throughout his long career; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg joined the Forest Preserves in 2010 where he played an instrumental role in updating the Forest Preserves’ license and land use procedures; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg played a key role in organizing and digitizing over 100 years of Forest Preserves land records that were conveyed to him in paper or handwritten form in bulk with no recognizable organization system when he began his service with the Forest Preserves; and
WHEREAS, today, due in large part to the organization and digitization of license and land use records, revenue from license renewals and new licenses and easements constitutes the highest source of non-tax revenue to support the Forest Preserves’ general operations; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg’s responsibilities also included providing boundary information and rightly defending the Forest Preserves’ boundaries against encroaching private uses, resulting in the return of roughly 47 acres of Forest Preserves land to public use; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg also played a key role in researching and assessing information in response to many questions and concerns from the general public; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg steadfastly maintained a highly professional, unflappable demeanor in the face of pressure from internal requests and infrastructure deadlines of other agencies which were often unfamiliar with the Forest Preserves’ processes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sterenberg’s dedication and commitment to his work with other municipalities and agencies were positive reflections on the Forest Preserves.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Toni Preckwinkle, President, and the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners congratulate John Sterenberg on his career of public service and thank Mr. Sterenberg for his many contributions to protect and improve the health, beauty and sustainability of the Forest Preserves; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to Mr. Sterenberg in recognition of his contribution to the Forest Preserves and his exemplary public service.
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