SOUTH HOLLAND | Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli became the first person to receive township supervisor of the year honors for a third time.
The Illinois Township Education Conference gave Zuccarelli the honor for his work during the past year overseeing the services that township government provides in the south suburbs.
The conference particularly cited the Zuccarelli Assistance Program, which results in the hiring of area teenagers every summer to mow lawns for elderly residents who need the help.
He also was cited for the fact that township government in the 17 communities from the Illinois-Indiana state line to Western Avenue and south to 183rd Street has grown from one to six buildings and that transportation access has increased from two to 12 buses to help people in need of transportation.
Zuccarelli also serves as committeeman for the Cook County Democratic Party from Thornton Township and heads the board of trustees for South Suburban College in South Holland.
In a prepared statement, Zuccarelli cited a benefit of providing free air conditioning units to low-income residents to help them cope with hot summer temperatures, along with a special program to help those same residents pay their utility bills during the winter months to ensure they have heat.
Zuccarelli said those programs were possible because of a “strong partnership” with state Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, who is the same man Zuccarelli is backing for Democratic Party slating in the special election for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District post that became vacant when Jesse Jackson Jr., resigned.
An endorsement session for the Feb. 26 primary is scheduled for Saturday at South Suburban College.
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