ECAF Names Dan Cronin Friend of the Children for 2012

Elmhurst Children's Assistance Foundation announced DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin has received the 2012 Friend of the Children Award. The award will be presented at the 17th annual ECAF golf outing Monday Aug. 6, at Riverside Golf Club.
 
Dan lives with his wife, Juliann, and their four children in Elmhurst, where he grew up. He graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School and Fenwick High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University and a law degree from the Loyola University School of Law. He was legal counsel for the House of Representatives from 1985 to 1987, Assistant State’s Attorney in Du Page County from 1987 to 1989 and is partner in the law firm of Power & Cronin, Ltd. of Oak Brook.
 
Dan has always been very passionate about children. While serving in the Illinois General Assembly, he sponsored and passed legislation to improve teacher competency and was chief sponsor of landmark Chicago School Reform. Moved by the “Baby Richard” case of contested adoption, Cronin sponsored a new law focusing on the best interest of the child.

He serves on the Board of Directors of Joseph Academy, which serves children and adolescents with behavioral, emotional and learning disorders by helping them develop the social, academic and vocational skills they need to function successfully in society. Joseph Academy is a private, nonprofit, therapeutic day school that works with Chicago Area school district special education representatives who place students in the program.
 
He also serves on the Ray Graham Association Board of Directors in Downers Grove. Ray Graham Association serves nearly 2,000 children and adults with primarily intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout DuPage County and the surrounding area. Ray Graham Association is all about empowering people with disabilities and has been doing so since 1950.
 
Dan has also served on the boards of the Elmhurst YMCA and the Community Bank of Elmhurst, and has been an avid supporter of ECAF over the years. His efforts to serve others have been previously recognized with such awards as the Ray Graham Association Legislative Leadership Award, Elmhurst Family YMCA Chairman’s Roundtable Award, De Boer Committee for Children’s Rights “Hear my Voice” Award, TLC Camp for Children with Cancer Appreciation Award and the Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Education Award.
 
ECAF’s goal is to assist families who have a connection to, or reside in our community, where a child’s life is impacted by a serious medical or disabling condition. As unpaid medical expenses mount, the emotional impact on the family may seem overwhelming.
 
Through the community’s generosity, ECAF is able to provide these children with financial assistance and to let their families know they are not alone. All names and information provided from families in need are held confidential with ECAF.

ECAF has never been stronger or more committed to its mission as it continues to be another outstanding example of why Elmhurst is a very special place for families to live.
  
Please join ECAF in celebrating Dan’s lifetime of accomplishments. Registration for the golf outing begins at 11:30 a.m., shotgun start will be at 1 p.m. For further information, please contact Kevin Diamond at (630) 993-0852 or Jeff Crum at (630) 782-9974, or check out www.ecaf4kids.org.