Grand Marshals

Grand Marshals

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Grand Marshals

GRAND MARSHAL 2020

Roesch Auto Group

Serving the Elmhurst community since 1923 and truly supporting the Elmhurst St Patrick’s Parade since the first parade in 1987. Three generations of family ownership proudly, professionally and with a priority for the customer’s experience have made available choices and options of vehicles – featuring Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Ford and Volkswagen.


The Roesch family has stood behind the cars and trucks they sell and service since their start, along with being a long-standing supporter of Elmhurst community events through all the years. Look forward to this year’s parade where you’ll see some great cars helping carry the parade up Spring Road – 2020 Grand Marshal and an every year big helper to make the Elmhurst St Patrick’s Parade be what it is.

GRAND MARSHAL 2019

IC Catholic Prep

IC Catholic Prep is a dynamic college preparatory, Catholic, learning community that:



  • Develops the whole person – Spirit, Mind, & Body
  • Inspires critical thinking and independent thought
  • Celebrates the Catholic tradition of community and service on behalf of others
  • Prepares young women and men to lead confidently and selflessly throughout life

Through our Catholic, college preparatory curriculum, we encourage students to achieve their maximum potential and exemplify the Catholic values taught at IC Catholic Prep. Faculty, staff, administration, students and parents strive to work together to form a loving, Christ-centered community of believers.

Students will encounter diversity of mind and culture, excel academically, and experience personal growth through their academic and extracurricular experiences. Students will be challenged to become independent thinkers who make a positive impact on the world through a selfless confidence and service to others. ICCP is driven by several key educational principles that inform and clarify our efforts and propel our learning community towards achieving our Mission and successfully living our Values.

  • As a community we strive to be

    • Student-Centered – consistently prioritize the actions that best serve the growth of our students
    • Independent Thinkers – encourage community members to evaluate information independently and to develop their own understanding and judgments
    • Innovative – seek continual improvement in all areas and search out and apply best practices from other successful learning communities
    • Collaborative – leverage the varied individual talents and skills of each community member, creating a better, richer, and more collaborative environment where each individual knows that he or she is valued

Please visit us at iccatholicprep.org

GRAND MARSHAL 2018

Elmhurst American Legion T.H.B.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, mutual-help, war-time veteran’s organization. The American Legion is a community-service organization which now numbers nearly three million members organized into 15,000 American Legion Posts worldwide. The Elmhurst American Legion T.H.B. Post 187 was chartered on September 26, 1919. A group of Elmhurst World War I veterans met and decided to form the post. The post was named in memory of three Elmhurst residents killed in defense of our country.


The T.H. B. represents: Earnest Timrott, killed in action June 3, 1918, Richard Hintz, killed in action July 19,1918 and Kinsely Buck, killed in action June 19, 1918. The membership of the post includes: 550 Veterans, 140 Women’s Auxiliary, and 127 Sons of The American Legion. The Elmhurst American Legion Post has been serving veterans and the Elmhurst community for almost 100 years. Highlights of some of the most recent service to the community include:

  • Highlights

    • Planning and participating in the Memorial Day Parade and Veteran’s Day Ceremony
    • Participated in establishing the Elmhurst Veteran’s Memorial located in Wilder Park
    • Provide an honor guard for veteran’s wakes and funerals
    • Conduct color guard services for various civic organizations and programs
    • Assist veterans with various needs and issues such as:
    • Obtaining lost discharge documents
    • Assist with admission to Hinze Hospital
    • Helping the family of a deceased veteran find a burial place in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery
    • Finding transportation for veterans for hospital or doctor appointments
    • Attend Elmhurst schools to provide students with information about our post and veterans
    • Award scholarships and other school awards to local students on an annual basis
    • Teach scouts the fundamentals of flag etiquette, patriotism, and value of community service
    • Provided veterans speakers for an Elmhurst College classes emphasizing military service
    • Develop educational programs for veterans
    • Assisted the Elmhurst Fire Department with establishing an Honor Guard Academy
    • Each year the post hosts Great Lakes Naval Recruits for Thanksgiving
    • Periodically send supply packages to troops deployed overseas

These are just a few of the activities describing how the American Legion Past has supported our community. The public is welcome to visit the post for lunch, fish fry’s, or just to relax. The post also offers a recently remodeled banquet room for planning special occasions. For more information visit us at americanlegionthb187.org

GRAND MARSHAL 2017

Mayor Steve Morley

Steve Morley was elected Mayor of Elmhurst in April 2013. As Mayor, Steve has focused on ongoing infrastructure improvements, business attraction and redevelopment and continues to look for efficiencies in city operations and opportunities to reduce spending. Before his term as Mayor, Steve was elected as Alderman of the 6th Ward in Elmhurst in 2007 and was re-elected in 2011. As an alderman he served on various committees including Finance, Council Affairs & Administrative Services, Development, Planning & Zoning and the Elmhurst Retail Business Grant Committee TIF 1 Joint Review Board.


He currently serves on several boards and commissions including Commission on Youth, the Historic Preservation Commission, DuPage County Green Government Council, and the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art.

Steve is also a member of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference where he serves on the legislative committee. Steve was born and raised in Elmhurst, graduated from York High School (‘86) and has a BA in Economics from the University of Iowa (’91). Steve is a marketing professional and lives in Elmhurst with his wife Nancy and their three children Reed, Jeanette and Anna.

GRAND MARSHAL 2016

Elmhurst College

Founded in 1871, Elmhurst is a private, four-year college affiliated with the United Church of Christ. The curriculum combines liberal learning and professional preparation to equip students for lifelong learning, service and achievement. Our campus is a gathering place for the dynamic interaction of diverse people. We have a simple but resonant phrase for what happens here: the Elmhurst Experience.


The phrase refers to a contemporary framing of liberal learning. Its hallmarks are student self-formation and early professional preparation. Its goal is to educate the whole student for life in a global society. This innovative model of higher education does much more than impart information to students. It also stimulates reflection, develops insights, challenges assumptions and sharpens judgments.

It asks students to expand well beyond their comfort zones, through study abroad, service learning and rigorous collaborative research with faculty. It seeks the full realization of human potential. Our robust academic environment is just the start of the Elmhurst Experience. Beyond the classroom, our students get plenty of opportunities to put their passions and talents into action—in more than 100 campus activities, including 20 athletic teams. Our teams participate in NCAA Division III and have won conference championships in five sports over the last decade.

GRAND MARSHAL 2015

Governor Bruce Rauner

Bruce Rauner was elected the 42nd governor of Illinois on Tuesday, November 4. His goal as governor is to create a more prosperous state, where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. Bruce will remain focused on delivering value for taxpayers, creating a pro-jobs economic climate, ensuring world-class schools and educational options for every Illinoisan, and bringing term limits and greater accountability to state government. Bruce was born in Illinois and is a self-made businessman who had no inheritance or family wealth.


A dedicated and diligent student, Bruce worked while he attended Dartmouth College, where he graduated with top honors. He went on to earn an M.B.A. from Harvard. Returning to Illinois in 1981, Bruce began working at then startup investment company Golder, Thoma, Cressey later GTCR. As one of its earliest partners, Bruce helped build the firm into one of the most successful and respected businesses in Illinois.

GTCR has been trusted for decades to oversee the retirement investments of first responders, teachers and other Illinois workers and has created tremendous returns for them – far surpassing the stock market’s performance – providing exceptional value for taxpayers. Bruce has reinvested much of his success into the state he loves through supporting education, the YMCA, local hospitals and community organizations. His greatest passion is education. Bruce and his wife, Diana, have devoted a tremendous amount of their personal time and resources to improving education throughout the state.


Bruce has never let his success change him. He still drives a 20-year-old camper van, wears an $18 watch, and stays in the cheapest hotel room he can find when he’s on the road. He is the proud father of six children – two boys and four girls – and Diana is the love of his life. He hunts birds, hikes, loves riding his Harley, and jumps at every opportunity to fish. He is excited to get to work and begin serving all the people of Illinois. www.brucerauner.com

GRAND MARSHAL 2014

State Senator Kirk Dillard

Kirk W. Dillard was born 1955 is a former Republican member of the Illinois State Senate, representing the 24th District from 1994 until his resignation in August 2014. He is also the former chairman of the DuPage County Republican Party. Dillard is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, serving as Illinois state leader.


In 2014 Dillard was appointed as RTA Regional Transportation Authority chairman. Dillard served in the Illinois Senate as the Co-Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, and Chairman of the High Technology Task Force. He also served on the Senate Committee as a Whole, Environment & Energy Committee, Executive Appointments Committee, Licensed Activities Committee, and the Subcommittee on Amendments, Subcommittee on Special Issues where he was the Sub-Minority Spokesperson and the Environment & Energy Subcommittee. Dillard cosponsored the Senior Citizens Tax Deferral program. Dillard was a sponsor of Illinois’ first major campaign finance and ethics reform in 25 years.

GRAND MARSHAL 2013

Elmhurst CUSD 205 School Board

Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 currently serves more than 8,000 students who reside primarily in the City of Elmhurst and small portions of Oak Brook, Bensenville and Addison. Approximately 93 percent of students live in Elmhurst with the remainder living outside of the City, but within the District 205 boundaries. District boundaries are NOT contiguous with City boundaries. At present, District 205 maintains fourteen schools eight elementary schools, three middle schools, York Community High School, a Transition Program and the Madison Early Childhood Education Center.


District 205 faculty represent some of the finest and best qualified teachers in the State of Illinois. With 73.6 percent holding a Master’s degrees and higher, they provide the knowledge, dedication and educational leadership that are critical to the success of our students. District 205 teachers are at the forefront of curriculum development and take a leadership role in many areas at the county, state and national levels.

District 205 students consistently perform well above state averages on all standardized tests. The ACT average composite score for the Class of 2013 is 24.1. In the area of extra curricular activities, more than 80% of York Community High School students participate in at least one extracurricular activity, with distinguished students/teams in cross country, law, business, vocational skills, mathematics, theater performance, art and music—to name a few.

GRAND MARSHAL 2012

Kickoff For Kids

Kickoff for Kids does the good work of enriching the lives of children in Elmhurst and surrounding cities by supporting the grassroots, creative efforts of passionate people in the community.

GRAND MARSHAL 2011

Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation

Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation – 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, Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation is able to provide these children with financial assistance and to let families know they are not alone. All names and information provided from families in need are held confidential with ECAF.


The Elmhurst Children’s Assistance Foundation 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.

GRAND MARSHAL 2010

Kiwanis Club Of Elmhurst

The Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst is one part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one community and one child at a time. Kiwanis International is comprised of more than 600,000 members serving in more than 16,000 clubs in 93 countries.


The Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst performs many community service projects in Elmhurst to help serve children. If you are interested in performing community service and helping children in Elmhurst, we encourage you to learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst here on our site and welcome you to join us for a meeting. Check our Club Information Page or Activities Calendar for information about our meeting day, time and place.

GRAND MARSHAL 2009

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital

When it comes to medical care, you have a lot of options. We know that. And we want you to know that we at Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare would appreciate the opportunity to provide that care for you and be your advocate. You’re more than a patient to us. You’re an individual. We’re committed to reflecting and humanizing the latest advances in healthcare, embracing new technologies and employing new ways to care for our patients. We provide not only state-of-the-art medical care but down-to-earth-personalized attention as well.


Founded in 1926, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital is now Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare. We’ve expanded our services to become a comprehensive health system with numerous locations throughout Chicago’s western suburbs to best serve our patients, their families and our communities.


Our many programs and services are designed to enhance your quality of life and are recognized as some of the best in the country. Our specialized medical and surgical areas of care include: Behavioral health, Cardiology, Emergency care, Gastroenterology, Maternity, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopedics & Pediatrics.

GRAND MARSHAL 2008

Congressman Peter Roskam

Born and raised in the district he serves, Peter Roskam is now in his fourth term in the United States House of Representatives. According to the Washington Post, Roskam “serves as a calming, drama-free influence” on Capitol Hill, and is regularly praised for his ability to distill complex national issues to their core.


Roskam graduated from the University of Illinois before spending his early career in the office of his mentor, legendary Congressman Henry Hyde. He later earned his J.D. from IIT-Kent Chicago College of Law and went on to practice law in suburban Chicagoland, developing significant experience as a litigator. Roskam has represented Chicago’s western suburbs in both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate, where he served alongside then State-Senator Barack Obama, where they partnered to enact significant reforms to the state’s criminal justice system.

Congressman Roskam uses his membership on the Ways and Means committee to fight for fiscal responsibility and common sense tax initiatives. Roskam played a key role in the committee investigation and response to IRS abuses involving targeting Americans for their personal, religious, and political beliefs. Roskam is a co-author of the Pledge to America and played an active role in securing a landslide House majority in 2010. Roskam currently lives in Wheaton with his wife of 25 years, Elizabeth. They have four children, Gracey, Frankie, Steve and A.J.

GRAND MARSHAL 2007

Dan Cronin

Chairman Cronin is a resident of Elmhurst where he lives with his wife, Juliann, and their four children. He is partner in the Oak Brook law firm of Power and Cronin. He is a graduate of Fenwick High School and earned a B.A. from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Loyola Law School.


Dan Cronin won election to the office of DuPage County Board Chairman first in November 2010, and again in 2014, after serving in the Illinois General Assembly for 20 years. He brings his passion for fiscal accountability and efficient government to DuPage County, where he has cut the budget by more than $30 million and reformed costly employee benefits that will save $20 million over the next two decades. He has accomplished these significant cost-savings without raising property taxes or compromising service.

Chairman Cronin is also committed to reducing the size, scope and cost of local government. Through his DuPage ACT Initiative Accountability, Consolidation and Transparency, he introduced a comprehensive approach to reform dozens of independent taxing districts in DuPage County. To date, those reforms, that include the elimination of two agencies, are estimated to save taxpayers $80 million.

GRAND MARSHAL 2006

Spring Road Business Association

The Spring Road Business Association was established by local Elmhurst businessmen in 1950. The purpose of our organization was to promote a sense of community and local commerce through sponsorship of year-round events and activities.

GRAND MARSHAL 2005

Tom Borchert

Tom has been serving local municipal govermnent for nearly 43+ years. Over 40 years in a number of capacities at the City of Elmhurst and most recently as an independent consultant for over 2 years. Tom has specilized in areas of municipal operations including park districts, municipal finance, land use, labor relations, real estate, business and corporate relations, and executive session practice.

GRAND MARSHAL 2004

Lt. James Elwald

Lt James Jim Ewald, born in Oak Park, raised in Elmhurst and a member of the York High School’s flying club – we thank him for his service to our country, our hometown grand marshal


On 8 April, an enemy SAM hit another A-10, call sign Facing 43, as it supported the advance of the 3d Infantry Division through the southern suburbs of Baghdad. The pilot, Maj Jim Ewald of the 110th Fighter Squadron from the Michigan Air National Guard, was advised that he could use the Baghdad airport, recently secured, as an emergency field. His aircraft still flyable, Ewald instead chose to head south in hopes of returning to Tallil or perhaps Kuwait. He flew for about 10 minutes until the aircraft began to yaw uncontrollably and then ejected. His wingman, Facing 44, assumed on-scene command responsibilities, noted his position, and began to initiate CSAR procedures.

Floating to the ground, Ewald took shelter among some reeds along a canal. Concerned about Fedayeen Saddam paramilitary units active in the area, he heard his aircraft crash and mistook the exploding ordnance as enemy fire. Fortunately, American troops from the 54th Engineer Battalion of the 3d Infantry Division watched his descent and sent a forward team in a Bradley fighting vehicle to his location. Jim heard what he thought were American voices but remained cautious. Hearing the clarion call, “Hey pilot dude! Come out, we are Americans,” Ewald broke cover and sprinted to the Bradley, whose soldiers pulled him inside and sped away. He then pulled out his survival radio and let Facing 44 know that he was with friendlies. An hour after arriving at a nearby field hospital, Ewald was on his way back to Kuwait in a helicopter from the 301st RQS. Two days later, he resumed flying combat.

GRAND MARSHAL 2003

Tom Marcucci

Mayor Thomas D. Marcucci is a lifetime resident of Elmhurst, Illinois. He is married 27 years to Mimi. The couple enjoys five daughters. Mr. Marcucci is a relentless promoter of Elmhurst. During his Mayoral tenure, Mayor Marcucci helped develop the political consensus that lead to the passage of referendums providing for the complete reconstruction of York Community High School and a brand new Elmhurst Public Library at the north end of Wilder Park.


He has overseen the revitalization of the Central Business District, increased infrastructure spending, settled a 31-year old dispute with the Illinois Department of Transportation that led to a rebuilding of North Avenue a $13 million project and resurrected the Commission on Youth. Mayor Marcucci is widely recognized as an advocate for business and is a sought-after speaker at economic development programs.

He has recently spoken at meetings of The Urban Land Institute, The Metropolitan Planning Council, The East-West Corporate Corridor Association, the West Cook County Business Association, and the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference. In addition, Mayor Marcucci serves as one of four Mayoral representatives from DuPage County on the Chicago Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.


Mayor Marcucci has quite an impressive list of Public Service Activities. To name a few, he was elected Mayor for the City of Elmhurst, Illinois April 1993 to the present time. He is the Past President, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, Past Treasurer, Suburban O’Hare Commission. He is a Member of PACE Suburban Bus System Board of Directors, Member of the Illinois Legislative Redistricting Commission, Member of the Illinois Compensation Review Board, Member of Illinois Tax Increment Financing Association, Member of the Chicago Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Executive Board, Member of the Metropolitan Family Services DuPage Board of Directors, District One Representative to County Stormwater Management Committee, Member of the Randy Mikal Scholarship Fund Board of Directors, Former Member of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC), Former Member of the DuPage Water Commission and a Former Member of the Immaculate Conception Grade School Board of Directors.

GRAND MARSHAL 2002

Kuester, Catalano, Pigoni-Ahlgrim

The 3 early leprechauns who helped get the parade started. A simple idea has become a great Elmhurst celebration & tradition. Along with the support and help from Mayor Tom Marcucci, Charity, Frank and Doug got the Elmhurst St Patrick’s parade organized, involved with the community and planning for the future.


Their combined efforts, along with the collective support of friends helped make for what today is a Elmhurat March celebration. Doug Kuester has passed on however, his guidance still has a great footprint as to how this parade unfolds each year. Charity Pigoni-Ahlgrim continues to stand as a parade director and Frank Catalano is always on hand, to help with preparing for the parade along with still marching in the parade. These are Elmhurst St Patrick’s Day parade grand marshals – indeed – for without them there would have been no parade.

GRAND MARSHAL 2001

Congressman Henry Hyde

Henry John Hyde (April 18, 1924 – November 29, 2007), an American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 2007, representing the 6th District of Illinois, an area of Chicago’s northwestern suburbs which included O’Hare International Airport. He chaired the Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2001, and the House International Relations Committee from 2001 to 2007. He gained national attention for his leadership role in managing the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.

GRAND MARSHAL 2000

Dan Gibbons

Since 1984 Dan has led a local effort to raise money for families in need and provide them with food. From the start, Dan has managed to connect volunteers, sponsors and the City of Elmhurst to create what is now the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in the metropolitan area, dubbed the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot. To date, the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot has donated nearly $3.7 million dollars and takes care to keep all funds raised within the County of DuPage. The event brings families and a community together on a day for giving thanks.


While Dan has every reason to be proud of his accomplishments, he is humble in making it known that the continuous success and growth of the Dan Gibbons Turkey Trot is owed largely to the tireless efforts put in by family, committee members and volunteers.

Over the years Dan and crew have been fortunate to receive numerous awards, The Illinois General Assembly, State Senator Dan Cronin, The DuPage County Board and Robert Schillerstrom, Mayor Richard M. Daley, The Spirito Singers Service Award and President Bill Clinton, to name a few. Dan and his dedicated team look forward to the time when hunger in DuPage County is no longer an issue, where no child goes to bed hungry, no child goes to school hungry and seniors living on a fixed income can rest assured that a daily meal will be provided for them.

GRAND MARSHAL 1999

Joe Newton

Joe Newton (born c. 1929) is a high school cross country and track coach at York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. In over fifty years of coaching, he has won 28 Illinois state cross country titles and one track state title. A feature-length documentary was made about his life and successes, called The Long Green Line after his team’s nickname.


Among his many accomplishments he was an assistant manager in charge of marathon runners in the U.S. team for the 1988 Olympics. He was the first high school coach to hold such an honor. He was awarded the National Cross Country Coach of the Year four times and has written four books, concentrating on training and motivation. He is known for motivational talks that focus on the philosophical and psychological factors that are required for success.

GRAND MARSHAL 1998

Jim Ryan

Considered by local media as the most successful prosecutor in the state of Illinois, Ryan was urged to run for the state’s highest legal office. In 1994, Ryan won an election to become Illinois Attorney General. He was reelected in 1998 with the endorsement of every major newspaper in the state. Ryan’s most notable accomplishment as Illinois Attorney General was his $9.1 billion settlement from tobacco companies. It was the largest public judgment in the state’s history.

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