Everyday Heroes: Bill Kaplan

As a young attorney in Joliet, the first board of directors Bill Kaplan was asked to join was with the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, where he served as treasurer and president.

“This was the first organization I was asked to join,” Kaplan said. “I cut my eyeteeth on that organization. I learned from many astute individuals on that board.”

From that time until the present, Kaplan has been involved in several organizations in the Will County area.

“I thought it would be neat to volunteer for organizations and that grew,” Kaplan said. “My reputation grew and I was asked to be on other boards, it was like a springboard, one and then another comes along.”

In addition to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA board, other past boards include Big Brothers Big Sisters, Guardian Angel Home and the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Most often, Kaplan used his law expertise to guide these nonprofits.

Current volunteer work includes Will County Habitat for Humanity, where he has provided free legal help since 1976. He began their when Lee Hanson, one of the founders of Will County Habitat for Humanity, met with Kaplan for legal advice for the nonprofit. He said he was happy to do it, and began to quickly understand the challenges of the business.

Today, acquisitions and sale of real estate consumes Kaplan’s work with Will County Habitat for Humanity.

“People really don’t know what he is doing in the background to help us,” said Executive Director Nicole Murray. “The workload he carries is priceless. I don’t think, unless affiliated with habitat, people would know how much work he carries for us.”

Murray said she was at lunch with Kaplan and told him every time she had to email him for another task, she would cringe.

“These were his words to me: ‘If you continue to think that way, you are single-handedly going to cripple that organization, let me know what you need.’ He took so much weight off of me,” Murray said.

Kaplan has been involved with the Rotary Club of Joliet for over 23 years and serves as the chairperson of the bylaw committee. He was recently the president of the Joliet Jewish Congregation.

“It was very nice to belong to a group of caring and religious individuals,” Kaplan said.

As an active member of the Joliet Junior College Foundation, Kaplan has witnessed a small endowment fund reach $25 million in donations. He helps to manage and provide scholarships and items for departments. He said in 2018, the foundation offered $700,000 in scholarships.

“This is where the future of our community is,” Kaplan said.

He is also a part of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Will County Bar Association.

Kaplan landed his first job at a law firm in 1968 and volunteering has given him a purpose.

“It’s both educational and fun for me. I can now make contributions to guide somewhat. There are always some difference of opinions which way to go, but I can contribute. Otherwise I would wither away,” Kaplan said.

Murray said of Kaplan, “The word thorough sums him up. He’s a great watchdog – the kind of person you want protecting you.”