HR0544 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0544 LRB094 12639 CSA 47481 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Director Renee Cipriano is returning to the private sector after almost four years of distinguished public service as the director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA); and

WHEREAS, Director Cipriano was first appointed by Governor George Ryan in August 2001 and reappointed by Governor Blagojevich in January 2003; and

WHEREAS, Director Cipriano took over leadership of the state agency responsible for implementation and administration of all environmental laws and programs after a series of key positions in environmental policy and law; she served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General, Environmental Control Division, from 1988 to 1992, and after three years in private environmental law practice, served as Associate Director and Chief Counsel of the IEPA from 1995 to 1997; after returning to private practice for two years, she joined the administration of Governor George H. Ryan as Senior Advisor for Environment and Natural Resources, where she was charged with overseeing legislative and policy development in several state agencies, as well as liaison to numerous constituent groups; she also headed the Governor's Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet and the Balanced Growth Cabinet; and

WHEREAS, Recently, Director Cipriano was appointed by Governor Blagojevich to serve on a Special Task Force on the Condition and Future of the Illinois Energy Infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, Under her leadership, the IEPA has launched several initiatives to reach out to citizens, industry, local governments, and advocacy groups in improving the State's environment; they include a major initiative to reduce mercury; "green chemistry" and hazardous waste collections from schools and other educational outreach programs; encouraging renewable energy and clean coal technology; the nationally-recognized "Green Pays on Green Days" citizen awareness campaign to reduce sources of air pollution; new watershed management approaches; an Environmental Justice Policy; and creative and innovative renewal of regulatory, enforcement, and compliance programs; and

WHEREAS, Director Cipriano is a graduate of Loyola University in Chicago and its School of Law; she also serves on its Council of Regents; she has lectured on environmental matters to many groups, authored several articles, and served in leadership capacities in several professional organizations; in 2002, she was honored with the David Award from the Italo-American National Union, David Society; and

WHEREAS, Director Cipriano's vast knowledge of environmental law and programs, excellent people skills, and sensitivity to both protecting the environment and encouraging economic development has served the people of Illinois well; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank IEPA Director Renee Cipriano for her years of distinguished public service to the people of Illinois and wish her all the best in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Director Renee Cipriano as an expression of our utmost respect and esteem.