Paul Mills to receive Business Leadership Award

The Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to name Paul Mills, Executive Director, Fountaindale Public Library, as the 2024 Business Leader of the Year.

Paul Mills has served as executive director of the Fountaindale Public Library District since 2011. During his tenure, Paul spearheaded the creation and design of Studio 300, one of the premier digital creation labs in the country for libraries. Fountaindale became only the third library in the United States to pioneer Career Online High School to its patrons in 2015. The first two libraries were the Los Angeles Public Library and Sacramento Public Library, both substantially larger libraries. Career Online High School enables participants to get a high school diploma, not a GED, through their library. A new bookmobile was designed and built for our community. When it was ordered, it was the third hybrid powertrain bookmobile commissioned in the United States. This and other vehicles bring more library materials and services to schools, senior homes, and memory care places. Meeting room space has also been greatly expanded at Fountaindale to meet our community's need for places to get together.

Paul has also served as an officer on multiple regional and statewide boards to enhance services for Bolingbrook. Paul is a founding member of the Pinnacle Library Cooperative, which brought more responsive and local service to our community. Paul is also a founding member of the Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency, which provides insurance coverage for over 60 libraries in Illinois with better coverage and safety services. Paul has also served as president of our regional library system, which covers most of northern and central Illinois. Paul has represented the state of Illinois at the national level as well.

Paul is a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Bolingbrook and has served twice as President of the Club. The Rotary Club provides scholarships for high school and college students, literacy projects for younger students, and service projects for our community. Paul has also served as an Assistant Governor for our Rotary District of 64 Clubs.

Other volunteer projects that Paul has been passionate about include being an Assistant Troop Leader for Girls Scouts for several years, when his daughter was younger. Paul also volunteered as Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentor for six years. Paul has been a part of the ENGin program for English speaking practice and cultural exchange with Ukraine for several years. Paul has also served the Selective Service System since 2009.

Paul and his wife, Jennie, are both active members of New Life Lutheran Church in our community and serve on multiple church committees.

Paul will receive the award at the Best of Bolingbrook Business Awards hosted at the Bolingbrook Golf Club on Thursday, April 17th, 2025. Tickets are available at www.bolingbrookchamber.org

Please join us in congratulating Paul on this accomplishment!