ISBA Assembly member Russell W. Hartigan of Chicago, a former member of the Board of Governors, was honored Oct. 20 by the DesPlaines Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America during a breakfast at LaGrange Country Club.

A trustee of Lyons Township and the Village of Western Springs, Hartigan re--ceived a Community Service Award for a number of volunteer endeavors that include serving as president and treasurer of the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission board.

Previous honors he has received for civic involvement include a Layman of the Year Award from the YMCA and a Spirit of Community Service Award from the Community Extension Project.

“He has helped to ensure that appropriate community services have been available for individuals with mental illness and development disabilities,” said Gilbert Zych, executive director of the mental health commission.

Speaking from the heart, with obvious emotion, Hartigan told of his father, an Eagle Scout who received a Silver Beaver Award for his work with blind scouts at the Hadley School.

Displaying the cherished award, he urged Boy Scouts in the audience to emulate his father's example with similar acts of community service.

On hand to congratulate Hartigan were his wife and children, including lawyer son Michael R. Hartigan; ISBA Third Vice President John G. O'Brien, and ISBA Assembly member Patrice Ball-Reed.

Hartigan, a partner in Hartigan & Cuis-inier, is first vice president of the John Marshall Law School Alumni Association, and Ball-Reed is president.

On a sadder note, another Boy Scout Council leadership award recipient met with tragedy two days after the ceremony.

Lyons Police Chief Daniel Babich, who received a Technology and Innovation Award, found his mother and father dead on Oct. 22 in their McCook home. Authorities called it an apparent murder-suicide.

Babich, a former member of the Marine Corps Special Forces, joined the Lyons department in 1982 and has been chief for five years. Under his leadership, a successful referendum for a modern police facility has enhanced the community's fight against drug dealers and other criminals.

A personable public servant who keeps in touch with the needs of Lyons residents and business owners, Babich is destined to be a candidate for an ISBA Law Enforcement Award.