HR1329 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh will retire as Sangamon County Treasurer this year following a distinguished career of over 30 years as a public servant; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh has held the position of Sangamon County Treasurer since he was elected in 2002, a unique office in Illinois, as it also serves as the Capital Township Supervisor and the Township Tax Collector; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh led an overhaul of the Treasurer's Office, transforming a system that was archaic and labor intensive to one in which residents of Sangamon County have up-to-date tax record information at their fingertips via online and electronic sources; and

WHEREAS, As the Capital Township Supervisor, Tom Cavanagh ran his government office effectively and reduced administrative cost, lowered the head count in his offices, and lowered the Township's property tax rate by 30 percent, thereby giving great value to the citizens of Sangamon County; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh has been a leader in transforming government, as evidenced by the 29 percent reduction in the Treasurer's Office staff; the Treasurer's budget has also been completely offset by fees and penalties generated by the tax process; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh has been a local leader in consolidating and eliminating duplicative government functions, successfully pursuing State legislation to eliminate redundant Township Collectors in Sangamon County and spearheading an initiative to merge the Capital Township into Sangamon County, which should save over half a million dollars in tax payer money and reduce the Township tax levy by 26 percent; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh has also been instrumental in the Illinois County Treasurer's Association, serving as President for Zone 2 Treasurers, mentoring multiple Treasurers over the years, and twice being named Zone 2 Treasurer of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh was elected Sangamon County Auditor in 1996 and served as a watchdog for taxpayer dollars, overseeing a streamlining and modernization in that office; and

WHEREAS, Tom Cavanagh also served the public as a State employee; he was elected to the Springfield Park District three times, including as Park District Vice President, a position he held for six years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Tom Cavanagh on his retirement as Sangamon County Treasurer and on his distinguished career of over 30 years as a public servant; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Tom Cavanagh as an expression of our esteem and respect.