Public Life
As the immediate, past president of the Proviso Township Democratic Organization, I am engaged with our party. While serving as president, the organization grew substantially, and we worked with other stakeholders to bring the State Central Committeewoman post to Proviso. Additionally, I was visible throughout the Chicago area in our party's efforts to maintain control of the Governor's mansion and the General Assembly.
In Rory Hoskins' first attempt at public office, he received more votes than any other candidate on the ballot (2007). Hoskins was re-elected to the Village Council in April 2011, and in similar fashion he won more votes than any of his competitors. As commissioner, Hoskins has worked to keep businesses thriving in Forest Park, negotiated numerous union contracts, and has led efforts to recruit bi-lingual staff to work in key employment units such as the fire department and clerk's office. As a newly elected commissioner, Hoskins instituted annual employee performance reviews.
Rory Hoskins is the immediate past president of the Proviso Township Democratic Organization. Under Hoskins' presidency, the organization attracted new members and helped Karen Yarbrough to win the post of State Central Committeewoman. In 2010, Governor Pat Quinn appointed Hoskins to the Board of Directors of the Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority overseeing a $1.5 billion bond issue.
Rory Hoskins has represented Forest Park in both Washington D.C. and in Springfield, and has leveraged government and political relationships for the benefit of the community. In 2007, as a freshman council-member, Hoskins worked with then Lt. Governor Pat Quinn to bring the "One Laptop Per Child" program to Forest Park (see link to article in Forest Park Review).
Since serving on the Council, Hoskins has participated in contract negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Fraternal Order of Police. In 2009, Hoskins led the negotiations for the economic incentive agreement that kept a leading automotive business from leaving Forest Park. That same year, Hoskins met with the Illinois Department of Transportation's Secretary, Gary Hannig, and secured funding for re-construction of Harvard and Jackson boulevards. Later in 2009, Hoskins convinced State Representative Yarbrough to allocate $200,000 to fund the renovations to the building that houses Forest Park police detectives' unit.
Soon after joining the Village Council, Hoskins was invited to serve on the Legislative Committee of the West Central Municipal Conference. He actively served for two years before stepping down in anticipation of enrolling in law school. Hoskins has held membership in the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and has served on the Advisory Board for Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work.
Rory Hoskins and his wife (Monique) have been married since 1997 and have four children. The Hoskins make a point of maintaining communication with local teachers and school administrators. The Hoskins rarely miss a school assembly, open house, or a chance to chaperone school dances or field trips. Monique teaches Spanish in a neighboring community and is a member of the Illinois Education Association.
Rory Hoskins has accepted invitations to speak to student groups at Proviso East High School, and at elementary schools in Maywood. In 2010, Hoskins worked with Proviso East's "Mikva's Challenge" program to help to engage students in civic activity. Hoskins has also accepted invitations to speak to students in the Teen Reach program administered by the Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action.
In 2009, Rory Hoskins partnered with the Forest Park Youth Commission and the Park District of Forest Park to host the First Annual Juneteenth Family Pool Party which has become a regular end of the school year event. That same year Hoskins worked with the youth commission and the local school district to promote an evening basketball program. The evening basketball program was staffed by volunteers and is credited with attracting more than one hundred teens and pre-teens. As a result of the program, Forest Park's police officers have established lines of communication with dozens of students who could be described as "at risk". Hoskins has consistently advocated for services designed to provide educational and recreational programs for youth. In 2011, Hoskins was proud to attend the opening of the Forest Park Public Library's "Teen Room".
ON MARCH 14, 2008, Commissioner RoRy Hoskins, (front) addresses an audience of public and school officials Monday during a press conference at Betsy Ross Elementary. THEN Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn looks on.
