HR1380 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1380 LRB095 21645 GRL 51799 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin on the occasion of the association's 10th anniversary in 2008; and

WHEREAS, The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (DNA) was formed in 1998 as a grassroots, membership-based, and volunteer-driven organization with the mission to create, support, and sustain revitalization efforts in Downtown Elgin; the organization is structured on the "tried and true" approaches of the National Main Street Program and focuses solely on the economic revitalization of the Downtown Elgin area and addresses the day-to-day needs of Downtown Elgin stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, The goals of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin are to be the "Keeper of the Vision" for Downtown Elgin; to pull together and coordinate the many Downtown Elgin stakeholders and constituents and to promote partnerships by encouraging participation and collaboration of members, business leaders, civic and neighborhood organizations, elected officials, governmental and quasi-government entities, and concerned citizens; to provide a united and authoritative voice on Downtown Elgin issues; to cultivate the leadership required to implement necessary actions; to garner resources to successfully implement the revitalization effort; to market and promote the positive images of Downtown Elgin; to diminish misconceptions of the downtown by acting aggressively to provide a sense of safety, market available parking and cultivate additional parking where necessary, and promote downtown businesses and events; to establish a high-quality physical image for Downtown Elgin and capitalize on the uniqueness of Elgin's historic architecture and riverfront and work to improve facades, design, signs, and streetscapes; to implement an outreach program that heightens the Elgin-community's awareness of the mission of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the benefits a thriving downtown provides to all Elgin property owners; and to support and assist efforts to improve Elgin's riverfront and with other capital improvement projects as deemed important for the overall revitalization of the downtown area; and

WHEREAS, All programs and services initiated by the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin have the goal of bringing people and dollars into the Downtown Elgin area, including the Out-to-Lunch and Out-to-Dinner programs, the Cinco De Mayo Fest, the Harvest Market, the 4th of July Parade, the Elgin Cycling Classic, and Window Wonderland; and

WHEREAS, The strength of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin lies in the commitment of its volunteers and members to the organization's mission; over the past 10 years, hundreds of volunteers have donated countless hours of their time and expertise to advance the mission and enhance the reputation of the DNA; and

WHEREAS, The manner in which the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin has faithfully served the residents of Downtown Elgin for the past 10 years is worthy of the greatest respect; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin on the occasion of the association's 10th anniversary and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin as a symbol of our esteem and respect.