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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to commend individuals who have made 
4significant contributions to environmental stewardship and 
5public service in the State of Illinois; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie has dedicated 25 years of 
7outstanding service to Friends of the Chicago River, including 
820 transformative years as its executive director, leading the 
9organization with passion, vision, and unwavering commitment; 
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, Under Margaret Frisbie's leadership, Friends of 
12the Chicago River's mission to protect and restore the 
13Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and 
14wildlife has flourished, resulting in cleaner water, an 
15increase in thriving wildlife habitats, and greater public 
16engagement throughout the region; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie, since assuming the role of 
18executive director in 2005, has become a leading voice for the 
19implementation of multi-beneficial natural solutions that 
20build climate resiliency, protect biodiversity, and improve 
21public health in an urban landscape; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie has pioneered signature 
2initiatives that have reshaped the Chicago-Calumet River 
3system, including the launch of the award-winning Natural 
4Solutions Tool, the establishment of the Greater Chicago 
5Watershed Alliance, and the creation of instream habitat 
6restoration projects, including the Michigan Avenue Fish 
7Hotel, which is the first floating habitat in the system; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Under Margaret Frisbie's visionary direction, 
9Friends of the Chicago River has garnered 45 awards and honors 
10in 25 years, and the Chicago-Calumet River system is now 
11widely recognized as a vibrant urban ecosystem that is clean, 
12healthy, biodiverse, resilient, and welcoming; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie's leadership in policy and 
14planning has led to the development of enforceable water 
15quality standards that protect aquatic life and swimmers, the 
16creation of Overflow Action Days, and the establishment of 
17Chicago's River Ecology and Governance Task Force; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie's commitment to wildlife 
19conservation has been evident in many Friends of the Chicago 
20River projects, including supporting nesting turtles, osprey, 
21bats, and channel catfish and the restoration of thousands of 
22acres of upland and riparian habitat; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie has also spearheaded powerful 
2public engagement programs, including the McCormick 
3Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, which welcomes over 38,000 
4visitors annually, and the comprehensive Litter Free 
5Chicago-Calumet River initiative; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie has been internationally 
7recognized for her work, including being named a River 
8Champion by River Network in 2017 and a Notable Leader in 
9Sustainability by Crain's Chicago Business in 2022; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Margaret Frisbie has left an indelible mark on 
11the Chicago-Calumet River system, transforming it along Lake 
12Forest, Lemont, Summit, Sauk Village, and everywhere in 
13between, while inspiring generations to value and protect the 
14waterway that runs through the heart of the region; therefore, 
15be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
17HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
18we commend Margaret Frisbie for 25 years of extraordinary 
19service to Friends of the Chicago River, thank her for her 
20visionary leadership and tireless advocacy, and acknowledge 
21her enduring impact on the environment and the people of 
22Illinois; and be it further
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
2presented to Margaret Frisbie as a symbol of our esteem and 
3respect.