ELMHURST CHAMBER INDUCTS MARCUCCI INTO CIVIC HALL OF FAME
ELMHURST, Ill., January 17, 2011—Lifetime Elmhurst resident and former four-term Mayor of Elmhurst Thomas D. Marcucci will be honored as the 2010 member of the exclusive Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Civic Hall of Fame.
Marcucci, who served as Elmhurst’s Mayor from 1993 through 2009, will became the Hall of Fame’s 19th inductee during the Chamber’s 92nd Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner held the Diplomat West Banquet Halls on Friday, January 28.
“Tom Marcucci’s story is that of the motivated hometown boy who grew into a dedicated community leader,” said John R. Quigley, Elmhurst Chamber President and CEO since 1999. “He didn’t aspire to political office, but he selflessly jumped into the fray with both feet when others called on him to serve.”
During Marcucci’s tenure as Elmhurst’s Mayor, the City experienced a municipal, commercial and residential redevelopment boom, with strong private-side investment. Elmhurst constructed new police and fire stations, a new Public Works Garage, a new City Hall and more. Downtown Elmhurst (Elmhurst City Centre), Route 83 at St. Charles Road (Elmhurst Crossing) and Lake Street were revitalized using Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds. As property values steadily rose, one- and two-bedroom homes were torn down and three- to five-bedroom homes were built in their place.
As Mayor, Marcucci represented Elmhurst on the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (including President in 2001), Suburban O’Hare Commission (including Treasurer from 2000-09), DuPage County Stormwater Committee (2003-10), DuPage County Water Commission’s Board of Directors (1996-2004) and Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (1998-2004). He still serves on the PACE Suburban Bus System’s Board of Directors (since 1998).
Marcucci also was an outspoken advocate of the Elmhurst Chamber and an avid supporter of Elmfest, and partnered with the Chamber to establish the traditional “State of Our City” Mayoral Address held annually at the January Membership Breakfast. He first announced his decision not to seek a fifth term at the Chamber’s 2008 Golf Outing.
His charitable activities have included service on the Board of Directors of both the Make-A-Wish Foundation (1997-Present) and Metropolitan Family Service of DuPage (2001-08). He played a vital role in establishing the Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation (ECAF), of which is an Honorary Chairman.
Marcucci received ECAF’s 2010 Friend of the Children Award and the Elmhurst College Bluejay Backers honored him as their Community Service Award in 1997.
A graduate of Immaculate Conception Grade School (1966) and York Community High School (1970), Marcucci earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1974. He has done continuing education at Elmhurst College.
Marcucci and Mimi, his wife of 33 years, raised five daughters who followed him through I.C. Grade School and York High School.
Created in 1992, the Civic Hall of Fame recognizes women and men who make major contributions to the Elmhurst community. Up through 2008, inductions were conducted during the Opening Ceremonies of Elmfest. The 2009 inductee was honored at the Chamber’s Spring Luncheon in April of 2010.
Joe Newton, legendary boys’ cross country coach at York Community High School, was the inaugural Hall of Fame inductee.
Preceding Marcucci as Hall of Fame inductees were: Eleanor King Hookam (1993), Elmhurst Art Museum; Dr. Ivan E. Frick (1994), Elmhurst College; Joseph Wagner (1995), York Furrier; Jean Haselhorst (1996), Elmhurst Park District; Robert M. Magnuson (1997), Elmhurst Memorial Hospital; Virginia J. Harmon (1998), Unique Travel Services; Illinois House of Representative Lee A. Daniel (R-46th District) (1999); A.J. “Toche” Terrones (2000), Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry; William C. “Bill” Gooch Jr. (2001), Community Bank of Elmhurst; Willis Johnson (2002), York Theatre; Fred Messerschmidt (2003), Elmhurst Federal Savings & Loan; Jim Van Ewyk (2004), Pfund and Clint Florists; Jacquelyn Haddad (2005), Elmhurst Junior Women’s Club; Thomas O. Myers Jr. (2006), Thomas O. Myers Real Estate; Abner Ganet (2007), Leonard’s Men’s Store and Mayor of Elmhurst; Jan Pauli (2008), Pauli’s Marathon; and
Bob Schiller (2009), Founder and Owner of Schiller Real Estate.
Established in 1918, the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a voluntary organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together to promote the civic and commercial progress of the community.
The Chamber also serves the needs of it members through services, programs and events that provide opportunities for networking and referral, business education, development and promotion, governmental representation and community involvement.
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