|
The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association held another memorable “Celebrate the Southland” Gala last week on Friday, June 21st at Idlewild Country Club. Nearly 300 guests in their finery attended, coming together to celebrate the south suburban region and this year’s Champion of the Southland award winner, State Representative William “Will” Davis.
President Ron Gardiner, mayor of the Village of Glenwood, kicked off the Gala by welcoming and thanking the sell-out crowd for attending, and recognized the numerous dignitaries present. He also offered his thanks to the generous sponsors of this year’s Gala, noting the evening’s premier sponsors Comcast, ComEd, and IFF for their support and commitment to SSMMA.
During his address, President Gardiner took a few minutes to recognize the impressive solidarity and unity of purpose those in attendance have to move the Southland forward as a stronger, more economically vibrant and competitive region.
“Our motto for SSMMA is Many Communities, One Vision for the Southern Suburbs. Over the last few years, we’ve worked collectively to advance south suburban priorities, here in the region and in Springfield,” said Gardiner. ‘We’ve been successful because we work together in support of our communities and the nearly 750,000 residents in our region. Together, I’m proud to say, we’re making a difference”.
The program continued with Legislative Chairman Rick Reinbold, mayor of the Village of Richton Park, taking the podium to present the Champion of the Southland Award to State Representative Will Davis. This award was bestowed upon Rep. Davis for his tireless efforts advancing priorities for the South Suburban Airport and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Tonight’s award, the “Champion of the Southland” from SSMMA, from all of us here tonight, is in recognition of Representative Davis’s commitment and his steadfast efforts to see the south suburbs succeed and thrive, which includes ensuring that the South Suburban Airport (SSA) become a reality,” said Chairman Reinbold. “Representative Davis has been a stalwart fighter in support of the SSA, making sure all of Springfield came together in a true bi-partisan way on public-private-partnership legislation last year that ultimately was supported by the Governor. He's also advanced legislation and measures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion for decades—before “DEI” was even an acronym or buzzword— seeking answers to disparity in hiring practices; fairness in school funding formulas and distribution of resource; economic empowerment and restorative justice, and more.”
Reinbold concluded by offering a toast, “On behalf of SSMMA mayors and managers, thank you, Rep. Davis for ensuring that the General Assembly and the Governor are taking important steps forward with the South Suburban Airport and for working for your district, the Southland region, and all Illinoisans every day. We salute you and recognize you as SSMMA’s 2024 Champion of the Southland. Thank you!”
SSMMA wants to say thank you to all attendees and our sponsors for contributing to the success of our 3rd Annual Gala! See our dinner program and photos of an exceptional evening here. A huge thank you to Larry Burrows for capturing the evening's most memorable moments.
| 
