HR1142 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1142 LRB099 21176 MST 46517 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the City of Elmhurst on being designated as one of the "Top 100 Safest Cities" in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Elmhurst, ranked 87th on the list, has a crime rate that is lower than the national average; from 2014 to 2015 it saw significant decreases in residential burglaries, motor vehicle burglary and thefts, criminal damage to property, and DUIs; and

WHEREAS, The Elmhurst Police Department values community engagement and participates in many different programs to ensure that the residents are involved in the community and protected; some of the ways in which it engages the community is with Neighborhood Roll Calls - an award-winning program that creates a partnerships between the police and the community and facilitates communication between residents and the officers patrolling their streets, allowing residents and officers to learn about each other; 33 Neighborhood Roll Calls were held in 2015, at which 608 residents attended; and

WHEREAS, Police Officers conduct foot patrols in residential neighborhoods and provide various types of materials and informational pamphlets to residents; police officers speak to community organizations, such as the park district, high schools, and churches to inform the public on related issues, trends, and events; officers ride bike patrols in areas with high pedestrian and bicycle traffic; drop boxes are provided in the department's lobby for residents to easily and safely dispose of prescription drugs; and

WHEREAS, The Elmhurst Police Department hosts the Citizen's Police Academy - one of the most popular and successful programs within Elmhurst; this 12-week program provides citizens with an opportunity to see how the department serves the community; the Department also facilitates D.A.R.E., which is taught in 12 Elmhurst grade schools, challenging students to make good choices using the D.A.R.E. decision-making model and covers wide range of topics; and

WHEREAS, Elmhurst is home to nearly 45,000 people, and offers a mix of location, transportation, and business-friendly tools that make it one of DuPage County's most attractive locales; it has a vibrant downtown and a unique business district; it boasts a regional hospital, state-of-the-art library, liberal arts college, museums, top-rated schools, and parks; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the City of Elmhurst on being designated as one of the "Top 100 Safest Cities" in the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Elmhurst Mayor Steven M. Morley as an expression of our esteem and respect.