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Special recognition of Michael Warner for his service to Lake County.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Michael “Mike” Warner, recognized throughout the state and nationwide for his expertise, has devoted his career serving to Lake County’s Stormwater Management Commission (SMC). With more than 26 years of service at SMC, Mike’s profound impact has been felt by the thousands of community members he has helped during his tenure; and
WHEREAS, Mike graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering; and
WHEREAS, his illustrious career with Lake County SMC began on March 24, 1994 as a principal engineer. His hard work was quickly recognized, and Mike was promoted to Chief Engineer and finally to Executive Director in 2006, a position he has held though the announcement of his retirement, which will be effective on December 18, 2020; and
WHEREAS, he has led SMC with professionalism and dignity and has established the department as innovative, transparent, service orientated and forward thinking. With his guidance, Lake County has been a leader in the region, improving water quality, reducing flood damages, and restoring and enhancing the natural drainage system; and
WHEREAS, since 1998, Mike has helped obtain 13 federal and state grant awards totaling $22 million for SMCs floodplain buyout program, which was used to purchase 200 properties; and
WHEREAS, Mike and his team have worked tirelessly to implement a new Capital Improvement Program, which identifies and partially funds projects that resolve multi-jurisdictional drainage and flood damages as well as preserves and improves water quality. He has worked diligently with county and state officials to fund big projects that will improve regional stormwater infrastructure long-term, which resulted in $2.1 million for Fiscal Year 2020 from the Lake County Board and $125 million from the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Mike is committed to improving the lives of Lake County residents and visitors through his many stormwater projects. Notable projects include: the Gurnee Grade School floodplain buyout, the formation of the Municipal Advisory Committee, Des Plaines River Watershed Workgroup, and North Brach Chicago River Watershed Workgroup, implementing several green initiatives during the construction of the Lake County Central Permit Facility, being a driving force of SMC’s flood response program, working hard on the Grandwood Park Dam rehabilitation project, and so much more; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Mike coordinated the inception of the annual Stormwater Awards in 2006 to honor and recognize outstanding efforts by organizations, communities, groups, and individuals for projects and other proactive and innovative efforts to reduce flooding and improve Lake County’s stormwater management; and
WHEREAS, flood control doesn’t stop at the state line. Mike played an instrumental part in conducting a study of the Upper Des Plaines River Watershed within Wisconsin and the potential impacts in Wisconsin and Illinois due to development in that region. He also testified at a Congressional field hearing regarding those impacts; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his efforts, which have not gone unnoticed, Mike received the 2019 Professional Manager of the Year - Water Resources Award by the American Public Works Association and has been warmly dubbed the “Wizard of Water” by the Highland Park Mayor; and
WHEREAS, Mike’s presence will be greatly missed by his coworkers and community members who have truly benefitted from his knowledge, his leadership, and most importantly, the calm and professional attitude he used to face all challenges presented to him through his career; and
WHEREAS, because he is deeply committed to Lake County’s wellbeing and the water resources field, Mike and his family plan to stay in Lake County. Mike will continue to serve his community at the local level.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Lake County Board does hereby thank Mike for his outstanding devotion and contributions to Lake County communities and for his many years of service.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois on November 10, 2020.