May 11, 2017
May 7-13, 2017 is Public Service Recognition Week, an initiative of the Public Employees Roundtable (PER), its member organizations and the Partnership for Public Service.
Founded in 1983, PER is a coalition of good government associations whose mission is to promote government employment and careers, educate Americans about the value of public servants and the services they provide, recognize excellence in public service and promote the spirit of public service.
The Partnership works to make delivery of government services more effective and efficient by engaging with government officials and other stakeholders to inform policy and impart best practices. Established in 2001 to “revitalize the federal civil service,” the Partnership’s work is focused at the national level.
Since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week has been celebrated during the first full week in May in order to "honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees.” As in past years, the President issued a proclamation and the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to designate the celebration. Members of the Cabinet serve as honorary co-chairs.
Organizations across the country—from St. Charles, Illinois to the State of Alaska—show their support for public servants through letters, proclamations, ceremonies, run/walks, happy hour celebrations and other events.
In the spirit of 2017 Public Service Recognition Week, the Civic Federation salutes the employees at all levels of government who work so hard to move those governments forward, especially in these financially precarious times. For more than 120 years, the Federation and its supporters have maintained an unwavering belief that government led by dedicated public servants can be a much-needed force for good in our communities. The Civic Federation’s various recommendations for reform would have little impact without the support and cooperation of our friends and leaders in public service.
Presented annually by the Civic Federation, the Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes a non-elected government official who has had an extraordinary impact on the quality of state and local government services in Illinois. The award seeks to honor individuals who show dedication to a vision of quality management, leadership and innovation that leads to lasting achievements and more effective government in Illinois.
The award was established in the early 1990s when members of Motorola’s leadership team recognized a need to identify and promote the exemplary work of public servants throughout the State of Illinois. The program is now in its 26th year and sponsored by the Motorola Solutions Foundation in partnership with the Civic Federation.
In addition to previous honorees, the Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor generously serve each year as honorary co-chairs to show their appreciation for the many dedicated public servants in our metropolitan area and across the state. Past honorees have included former Chicago first lady Maggie Daley, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools Arne Duncan, Director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights Rocco Claps and most recently Chicago-Cook Workforce Partnership CEO Karin M. Norington-Reaves.
For more information on the most recent Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award celebration honoring Ms. Norington-Reaves, including an event recap, tribute video and photos, please click here. To read more about other past honorees, see the list of links below.
To receive notification of the 2017 call for nominations, please sign up for the Civic Federation’s monthly newsletter.
Additional Links:
2016 Call for Nominations, Including Full List of Past Winners
Karen Tamley Honored at 24th Annual Excellence in Public Service Award Breakfast
Rocco Claps Honored at 23rd Annual Excellence in Public Service Award Breakfast
Julie Hamos to Receive Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award