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The Downers Grove Watch Group received one of four awards handed out by the Citizen Advocacy Center in Elmhurst Dec. 10.
Watch member Andrew Clark said this is the first time the group has been honored with the Citizen Initiative Award, which was created by the center in 1997.
“We were very happy,” Clark said. “We like to get recognized for some of the work we do.”
The award recognizes people or groups that are active in their community and seek democratic involvement from the citizens on any issue of public concern.
Clark said one reason the group was recognized was for its efforts in placing an item on a ballot to repeal the Home Rule referendum. It eventually was not passed by the voters.
“The Downers Grove Watch Group continues to work as a watchdog group, giving constant input to council and staff on issues,” Clark said.
Those issues include land use, zoning and spending, among others.
“These are dynamic individuals and grassroots citizen groups who have organized community initiatives, advocated for greater accountability of public bodies, and are inspirational to others for their efforts. In short, they have made a difference through their actions,” said Terry Pastika, director and community lawyer at the center.
The Downers Grove Watch became a nonprofit organization in 2001.
Others honored included Sarah Hartfield and Jeff Zurawski, who held a banner over Interstate 355 protesting the war in Iraq. They were arrested by DuPage County Sheriffs and faced several charges including disorderly conduct. Eventually the charges against them were dismissed.
Lauri Rabattini of Island Lake and Mark Stern of Wheaton also were awarded.
The Downers Grove Watch Group received one of four awards handed out by the Citizen Advocacy Center in Elmhurst Dec. 10.
Watch member Andrew Clark said this is the first time the group has been honored with the Citizen Initiative Award, which was created by the center in 1997.
“We were very happy,” Clark said. “We like to get recognized for some of the work we do.”
The award recognizes people or groups that are active in their community and seek democratic involvement from the citizens on any issue of public concern.
Clark said one reason the group was recognized was for its efforts in placing an item on a ballot to repeal the Home Rule referendum. It eventually was not passed by the voters.
“The Downers Grove Watch Group continues to work as a watchdog group, giving constant input to council and staff on issues,” Clark said.
Those issues include land use, zoning and spending, among others.
“These are dynamic individuals and grassroots citizen groups who have organized community initiatives, advocated for greater accountability of public bodies, and are inspirational to others for their efforts. In short, they have made a difference through their actions,” said Terry Pastika, director and community lawyer at the center.
The Downers Grove Watch became a nonprofit organization in 2001.
Others honored included Sarah Hartfield and Jeff Zurawski, who held a banner over Interstate 355 protesting the war in Iraq. They were arrested by DuPage County Sheriffs and faced several charges including disorderly conduct. Eventually the charges against them were dismissed.
Lauri Rabattini of Island Lake and Mark Stern of Wheaton also were awarded.
