Montgomery Code Enforcement Officer Receives National Recognition

Laura Rouse-DeVore received the International Code Council’s (ICC) Gerald H. Jones Code Official of the Year Award on October 1st, marking the first time anyone from Illinois has received the award and the first female recipient.  

The award is one of ICC’s most prestigious awards and is given annually to an individual whose contribution to the code enforcement profession is meritorious and worthy of recognition.

“I take pride in the opportunity to serve the residents of Montgomery,” said Rouse-DeVore. “I am so deeply appreciative every day to have a career in this field—doing what I love.”

Rouse-DeVore is currently the president of the Illinois Association of Code Enforcement (IACE).  In January 2013, Rouse-DeVore secured a Gubernatorial Proclamation on behalf of Code Enforcement Officers all across the State of Illinois, the first time that Code Enforcement Officers have been recognized on the state level in Illinois.  

In April 2013, she traveled to Dallas, TX to represent the State of Illinois and testify before a national panel at the ICC Code Change Hearings.  In April 2013, Montgomery’s Village Board unanimously adopted its own proclamation in recognition of the vital role that Code Enforcement Officers play in a community.

Additionally, Rouse-DeVore created a publication article and brochure for the Village of Montgomery on “Importance of Code Enforcement.”  These items are available on the Village’s website.  Rouse-DeVore is currently the chairperson of the national public awareness campaign for the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) on that topic.

Rouse-DeVore was hired by the Village in April of 2012 and accepted the IACE position in December.  She is a nationally certified Code Enforcement Officer, Zoning Inspector, and Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector, and has education in Urban Planning and Sociology. Rouse-DeVore holds a B.S. from Ball State University and is currently completing her M.B.A. from Western Governor’s University.

Provided by the Village of Montgomery