Billy Lawless, Galway native and Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform Chair named among IrishCentral.com Top Ten Community Leaders

NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne congratulated Galway native and tireless advocate for US Immigration Reform Billy Lawless on being named as one of IrishCentral.com’s Top Ten Community Leaders for 2013.

Billy Lawless is Chair of Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and was described by IrishCentral.com as ‘a great activist on immigration issues, who made sure that Obama’s local Chicago operatives were well aware of the Irish American interest in reform. A tireless worker for new immigration legislation.’

NUI Galway President Dr Jim Browne congratulated Billy Lawless describing him as ‘a great friend of NUI Galway who, along with his wife Anne a graduate of NUI Galway, has welcomed many NUI Galway visitors, students and alumni alike to Chicago over the years. His inclusion among the Top Ten Community Leaders is fitting recognition of his unyielding drive to secure immigration reform in the US.’

Billy Lawless has facilitated several NUI Galway events in his well-known Chicago restaurants over the years. His wife Anne (formerly O’Toole) graduated from NUI Galway with a BA in 1970. His wide range of contacts has proved invaluable in providing links for the University and alumni in the city.

Billy Lawless and his family own and operate The Gage gastropub and other well-known restaurants in Chicago. They moved to the US from Galway in 1997 and opened the ‘Irish Oak’ in Wrigleyville in the city in 1998.

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