HR0146 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0146 LRB103 31361 ECR 58947 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In the early years of the 20th century, the area now called Norridge had small truck farms, and in the 1930s and 1940s, it became a place with many riding stables, being near the forest preserves; and

WHEREAS, On December 4th, 1948, a referendum incorporated Norridge with 1,675 residents and 80 acres of area that was bounded by Irving Park Road (originally Plank Road), Ozanam Avenue (originally Phillips Road), Montrose Avenue, and Harlem Avenue; and

WHEREAS, The village doubled in size in 1954, and the population grew from 1,675 at incorporation to 15,251 in the 2020 census; and

WHEREAS, A resident suggested the name "Norridge," with "Nor" from Norwood Park Township and "Ridge" from nearby Park Ridge; and

WHEREAS, The first Village Board of Norridge was elected in February 1949 with Karl A. Kuchar as the village's first president, followed by Joseph Sieb being appointed president in November 1951 and serving in that position for 46 years until his death in 1998; and

WHEREAS, After years of village board meetings in Village Clerk Harold Dierkes' home and public meetings in the Norwood Park volunteer fire house, Norridge Village Hall was constructed in 1954 and housed the Mayor and Village Clerk's offices and the Police Department office; and

WHEREAS, The new village hall was dedicated in October of 1990 at the corner of Irving Park Road and Olcott Avenue; the original village hall was converted into an exclusive police facility; and

WHEREAS, The Norridge Youth Activities (originally the Youth Activities of Norridge) was established in June of 1954 with the purpose of "social and recreational in the furtherance of which to have power to promote athletic activities for the youth of the Village of Norridge"; the organization was given national recognition with a plaque from President John F. Kennedy and Presidential Assistant Ralph H. Dungeon; and

WHEREAS, Not to be confused with the English community of Norwich (pronounced "Noritch"), Norridge is the only community in the world with that name; and

WHEREAS, With terrific schools, infrastructure, and community, Norridge is a phenomenal place to work, live, and raise a family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the approaching 75th anniversary of the Village of Norridge and congratulate all residents and village officials on this momentous occasion of over half a century of incorporation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to Norridge Village President Daniel Tannhauser, Village Clerk Gabriela Krasinski, Trustee Donald Gelsomino, Trustee Bill Larson, Trustee Jack Bielak, Trustee Andrew Ronstadt, Trustee Debra J. Budnik, and Trustee Frank Avino Jr. to congratulate them on this significant anniversary and to wish them further years of success.