Maggie Crotty

Maggie was the mother of three adult sons and seven wonderful grandchildren.  When Maggie married 45 years ago, she moved from Roseland to Oak Forest where she resided until her passing.

Her neighbors quickly recruited her to volunteer at church and for school activities.  She became an active member of the Oak Forest Community.  She was elected to the Arbor Park School District #145 School Board.  She served on the board for 15 years.  The last eight of those years as the School Board President.

She was President of the Oak Forest Kiwanis Club, Bremen Consolidated High School District #228 Educational Foundation, Oak Forest High School Football Booster Club, Oak Forest Civil Service Commission, and many other clubs and organizations. 

She started back to work at Southwest Cook County Cooperative for Special Education as a Teacher’s Aid in a behavioral disordered class for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.  As school districts started taking over their Special Education classes, Southwest Cooperative asked Maggie to head up their Volunteer Program.  Under her leadership she expanded volunteer programs in the Special Education classrooms and fundraising events for augmentative and communication devices.  Maggie was recruited by United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago as their Development Coordinator and work with their adult programs.

She was surprised when friends, neighbors, and community leaders asked Maggie to run for State Representative in the 35th District.  While being apprehensive about running for state office, she finally agreed.  She was elected State Representative for six years and again elected State Senator for 10 years.

She retired from Illinois Senate last year to be able to spend more time with her family and grandchildren.  She was the Bremen Township Supervisor that oversees 13 communities, and helped aid thousands in general assistance.

She never thought of Public Service as her calling.  But she is glad she was pushed into it and honored to have served the constituents in her districts and neighboring communities.

When Maggie Crotty was elected Bremen Township Supervisor in 2016, she arrived with a vision to improve services and activities for township residents.  She led the expansion of the Senior Services Department and the construction of a new Youth Facility and Senior Cafe.  The Senior Wheels division grew to eventually provide more than 800 rides per month for seniors who rely on the township for transportation.  The Youth and Family Department she instituted now provides counseling services for any young adult within the township regardless of their ability to pay.  In addition, through partnerships with Together We Cope and the Greater Chicago Food Depository she established a Free Produce program for residents in need.  This program distributes free fresh produce monthly to more than 2,500 people in need.

A project close to Maggie’s heart was the installation of Bremen Township’s own walking path.  Through her vision and perseverance, an overgrown, debris-filled parcel of township property began a transformation into a quarter-mile scenic walkway for young and old to enjoy.

Unfortunately, with Maggie’s passing in 2021, she didn’t have the opportunity to see the completion of her dream.  As a tribute to her, Bremen Township officials dedicated and named the path in her honor.  The dedication ceremony was witnessed by residents, friends, family, local officials, Congressional members, and colleagues from the Illinois Senate and Illinois House and other dignitaries.

Maggie’s belief that elected officials must serve as advocates for their residents guided her throughout a long public service career.  That is the legacy of Maggie Crotty.