The Motorola Excellence in Public Service Award - sponsored by Motorola together with NORBIC and Illinois Issues - seeks to recognize a non-elected department head or chief of staff who has made a positive impact on the well-being of the City of Chicago, Cook County or the State of Illinois through extraordinary leadership, teamwork and innovation. The EPS award honors individuals who show inspired leadership by dedicating themselves to a vision of quality management leading to more effective government. It also recognizes commitment to improving public service for the benefit of all current and future citizens. The event is held each October in a downtown Chicago hotel.

Honorees since 1991 are: Sister Sheila Lyne, RSM, Mary Decker Laraia, Ruth Rothstein, Bob Belcaster, Richard Wagner, Jess McDonald, Paul Vallas, Lois Weisberg, Mary Dempsey, Audrey McCrimon, Bill Holland, Pam McDonough, James Joyce, Terry Peterson, and Shriley Madigan.