DCBA - Press Releases - Rick Arndt and Kay Hitchman-Hedeen of CASA receive DuPage Bar's Liberty Bell Award

Press Release - Thursday, April 28, 2005

Rick Arndt and Kay Hitchman-Hedeen of CASA receive DuPage Bar's Liberty Bell Award

Presented annually to non-attorney for efforts to support the law, improve justice system

WHEATON, Illinois - Rick Arndt, a resident of Naperville, Ill., and Kay Hitchman-Hedeen, a resident of Warrenville, Ill., received the DuPage County Bar Association's 2005 Liberty Bell Award for their work with CASA of DuPage. CASA of DuPage is an organization based in Wheaton that supports volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates for children assigned by juvenile court judges in cases involving allegations of abuse or neglect. The presentation was made at the DCBA's Law Day Luncheon on April 28 at Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield.

Ms. Hitchman-Hedeen served as President of CASA of DuPage in 2004. Under her leadership, the Board of Directors implemented a business plan to stabilize finances and diversify revenues from special events and outreach to the DuPage corporate community supplemented by grants and fundraising campaigns. During her tenure, CASA also began offering specialized training for advocates assigned to older foster youth and surveyed key stakeholders such as DCFS and state's attorneys on the organization's effectiveness. She also was instrumental in CASA's successful grant writing efforts.

Rick Arndt was CASA's Board Vice President when he stepped forward in March 2004 to serve as Acting Executive Director following the predecessor's resignation. He took a leave of absence and served on a volunteer basis through the end of 2004. During this transitional period, he led efforts to improve CASA's internal administration including filing protocols, personnel policies and technology infrastructure, and spearheaded CASA's office relocation to the DuPage Judicial Center. His leadership is credited with enhancing the level of professionalism among CASA office staff.

DCBA President Neal W. Cerne said, "Law Day celebrates the liberties we enjoy and rededicates the American ideals of equality and justice under law. We thank Kay Hitchman-Hedeen and Rick Arndt for their outstanding contributions to improving our justice system. Professionally, Rick is a Naperville real estate broker, mediator and consultant. Kay formerly was a real estate broker, and became CASA's Executive Director in 2005. Both are tireless workers who have made enormous personal and professional sacrifices to promote justice for abused and neglected children in DuPage County. Last year, 204 children benefited from CASA's 107 volunteer advocates."

The DCBA presents its Liberty Bell Award annually to a non-lawyer for contributions to the law in observance of Law Day, celebrated every May 1st since 1958. Previous recipients include Theresa Dear of Bridge Communities; Betsy Panozzo of the Care and Counseling Center; and Karen Hurley Kuchar, Executive Director of Family Shelter Service.