HR1320LRB098 23152 GRL 62143 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are pleased to congratulate Willard R. 
4Helander on the occasion of her retirement as Lake County Clerk 
5on November 30, 2014 after 20 years of dedicated service; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Willard Helander graduated with honors, earning a 
7Bachelor's Degree in 1974 from the University of Mississippi; 
8she subsequently earned a Juris Doctor from the University of 
9Tennessee College of Law in 1977 and was initiated into the 
10public sector in 1977, when she held a judicial clerkship for 
11the Tennessee Civil Court of Appeals; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, After moving to Illinois, working in the trust and 
13probate field, and raising her 3 children, Willard Helander 
14returned to the public sector in 1992 and became the founding 
15Executive Director of the Transportation Management 
16Association of Central Lake County, where she served with 
17distinction until seeking public office; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Willard Helander was first elected as the Lake 
19County Clerk in 1994; during her tenure, she continually 
20challenged herself and her staff to provide superior customer 
21service; and
  
 
 
 
HR1320- 2 -LRB098 23152 GRL 62143 r

1    WHEREAS, Willard Helander oversaw the implementation of 
2technology and automation in the Clerk's Office, including 
3optical scan voting, an expansion of voting options for people 
4with disabilities, early voting, and the piloting of the first 
5internet reporting of election results in the State of 
6Illinois, one of only 2 counties in the State to do so in 1996; 
7and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Due to Willard Helander's pioneering leadership 
9in the technological field, the Lake County Clerk's Office 
10received the "Most Innovative Technology" award through the 
11International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Elected 
12Officials, and Treasurers in recognition of the County's 
13internally-created geographic information system software, 
14which was used during the millennial census for redistricting 
15purposes and resulted in a savings of $500,000 to taxpayers; 
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, Willard Helander is highly regarded in her field 
18and is a member of multiple professional associations, 
19including the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, 
20Elected Officials, and Treasurers, the Illinois Association of 
21County Clerks and Recorders, and the Joint Elected Officials 
22Liaison Committee; she is also a member of the Illinois State 
23Bar Association and is a past member of the State Board of 
24Elections Advisory Committee; and
  
 
 
 
HR1320- 3 -LRB098 23152 GRL 62143 r

1    WHEREAS, Willard Helander has been a vocal proponent of 
2maintaining accuracy, fairness, and integrity in the election 
3process; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, In addition to her commitment as a public servant, 
5Willard Helander is an active participant in her community and 
6serves on the boards of many civic organizations, including 
7MainStreet Libertyville, Inc., the Boys and Girls Club of Lake 
8County, Community Action Partnership, the Salvation Army Adult 
9Rehabilitation Center, Youth and Family Counseling, and the 
10Daughters of the American Revolution; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
12NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
13we congratulate Willard R. Helander on the occasion of her 
14retirement and wish her continued success and happiness in the 
15future; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to Willard Helander as a symbol of our esteem and 
18respect.