
				Pat Quinn, Governor

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Environmental Progress - Spring 1999

Employees of the Month

Editor's Note: Each month the Illinois EPA recognizes outstanding employees for their efforts to make quality part of every job they do. Three recent Agency-wide Employees of the Month are listed here. Congratulations to each of them.

Connie Tonsor, Division of Legal Counsel, was named Employee of the Month for October.An attorney for the Division of Public Water Supplies and the Agency's employment law specialist, Connie was recognized for her expertise in the changing area of laws and regulations in the employment law field, for her work as lead investigator for personal harassment complaints and her services as advisor for management and union matters. Since April 1998 she has conducted training both at headquarters and the regional offices on implementing the agency's sexual harassment policy.

Tressa Achas, office associate in the Bureau of Land's permit section, was EOM for November. When both her supervisor and temporary supervisor were on maternity leave and the only other unit employee was on medical leave, Tressa utilized student workers and volunteers to assure that daily work flowed in an uninterrupted manner. Since each project in the solid waste permit section begins and ends with Tressa, her initiative, innovation and willingness to adapt have been invaluable.

Sherrie Elzinga, assistant to the Director, was the December EOM. Her designation acknowledged her keen grasp of issues, diplomacy, sense of humor and "people skills" in dealing with officials in the governor's office, Congress, and the General Assembly as well as U.S. EPA, corporate CEOs, and other state agencies. Sherrie co-chaired the Governor's Environmental Corps program, coordinated the annual SECA campaign, served as move coordinator for the Director's office in the transition to the current headquarters and participated actively in the annual Chili Cook-Off both as an organizer and a participant.