Andrea Moore (1944- ) received the Pugsley Medal in 2001 for "personal and legislative contributions to the parks, recreation, and conservation field at the local, county, regional, and state level." She began her public service in Libertyville, Illinois in 1975 as village clerk and followed this with two terms as village trustee during which she chaired the village's parks and recreation committee. From 1984 to 1992, Moore was a leader on the Lake County Board, where she was appointed vice-chair for two years. She also served as president of the Lake County Forest Preserve District.
In her early service at the local level, Moore saw firsthand the threat to some of the best biological diversity in the state of Illinois, and played an important part in protecting these natural resources at the local level. In her role as president of the Forest Preserve, Moore initiated sweeping reform that resulted in a decade of improvement in the agency's performance and public image culminating in the agency being voted National Gold Medal Award Winner in 1999. She also was honored as recipient of the Friends of Ryerson Woods Award for her commitment to the environment. This interest continued after she was elected to the Illinois General Assembly.
Moore was initially elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1992, and in her first two-year term was named "Champion of Local Government" by the Suburban Action Coalition. During her five consecutive terms in the Illinois legislature as representative of the 61st District, she was a statewide leader on conservation and smart growth issues; a member of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators; and served as vice-chair of the Illinois Growth Task Force. She served in the House until the end of 2001, during which period she was spokesperson for the House Revenue Committee, vice spokesperson of the Environment and Energy Committee, and co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators.
Her major contribution to protecting the environment and preserving natural areas in Illinois was spearheading the bi-partisan legislation creating the landmark Open Lands Trust Act. This dedicated $160 million over four years to protecting, preserving and enhancing the natural lands of Illinois. In addition she introduced many other legislative initiatives that addressed issues of concern to park districts and forest preserve districts in Illinois.
In his comments supporting Moore's nomination for the Pugsley Medal, Governor George Ryan of Illinois noted that she "cares deeply for the environment and has made this a hallmark of her service and leadership in Illinois." For her work supporting statewide conservation efforts, Moore was awarded the Illinois Environmental Council's Commendation and the Illinois Association of Park Districts' Outstanding Legislator Award.
In 2002 Moore resigned from the General Assembly and started a new chapter in her public service career when she was appointed assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) by Governor Ryan. Her strength in working with members of both parties was evidenced in her retention at IDNR by Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich, who called Moore, "a woman with great ideas." In 2003, Blagojevich appointed her as a board member of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, at which time she left her position with IDNR.