Three IPELRA members were presented with awards as part of the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association’s Conference held in Austin, Texas this week. 
Mike Crotty, Director of Human Resources and Assistant Manager with the Village of Wheeling, was presented with NPELRA’S President’s Award.
The President's Award is granted in recognition of an individual's dedication, contribution, devotion, and valuable service to the Association in fostering its purpose and goals. The recipient of this award is selected each year by the Board of Director's president.
Crotty served as past president of the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) from 2019-2020.
Megan Fulara, Human Resources Manager for the City of Evanston, and Cristina White, Assistant City Administrator for the City of Warrenville, were presented with the Pacesetter’s Award for their Real Time with IPELRA podcast.
The Pacesetter Award is presented by NPELRA to individuals, groups or organizations who have demonstrate particularly innovative leadership in public sector labor relations. The Pacesetter Award recognizes those individuals who, through their professional achievements, have successfully developed a new tool or technique for use in resolving conflicts, addressing new challenges, or assisting others in their growth in public sector labor relations or human resources. Pacesetters are role models who serve as resources to others in the field.
The Real Time with IPELRA podcast was launched in June of 2020 following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the podcast, Fulara and White aimed to provide a timely and important opportunity for listeners to stay connected while receiving helpful insights on topics and issues facing public employers in Illinois. Fulara and White have hosted just over 50 episodes of Real Time with IPELRA since the program’s start two years ago.
Fulara currently serves as a member at-large on IPELRA’s Board of Directors with White currently serving as president.