HR0131 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0131 LRB096 10931 GRL 22373 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Tony Perry on the occasion of winning the 2009 "Good Neighbor" Business of the Year Award from Illinois State Representative Lisa Dugan; and

WHEREAS, The "Good Neighbor" Business of the Year Award highlights local businesses that exemplify community service at its finest; the award is given to businesses that reach out to provide additional benefits to the community, thus being looked upon as a community partner and a good neighbor; and

WHEREAS, Tony Perry has been a resident of Kankakee since 1959, when he moved from Chicago Heights to develop subdivisions and shopping centers on Kankakee's East Side; his business has evolved over the years and he has become one of Kankakee County's most active developers and passionate community supporters; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980's, when Kankakee County faced severe financial crisis with the closing of several major employers during a national recession, Tony Perry became determined to invest all of his energy into the rehabilitation of the communities, which led to the creation of a not-for-profit economic development organization, Area Jobs Development Association; the association ultimately helped create thousands of jobs, secured tens of millions of dollars of investment into the county, and was the impetus to the local elected officials uniting on behalf of the entire county; he also traveled throughout the nation and abroad looking for commerce and industry to locate in the community and to spread the word in the national real estate industry; and

WHEREAS, Tony Perry was the creator of Christmas in April-Kankakee County, which started with 50 volunteers rehabilitating 3 homes on one day in April; the project ultimately rehabilitated over 500 homes, with participation by a thousand volunteers, in later years; and

WHEREAS, Tony Perry was a co-founder of the Illinois Ambassadors, an organization that led economic development efforts in Illinois; he was also a past President of the Kankakee Area Chamber of Commerce and a past President of the Kankakee County Association of Realtors; and

WHEREAS, Tony Perry serves as counsel emeritus to Perry Group, Ltd., a commercial real estate and development firm; he is also a longtime Certified Commercial Investment Member and a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, Tony Perry was honored for his community service through his induction into the State of Illinois Department of Aging Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Tony Perry and his wife of 53 years, Ellie, live in Bourbonnais; together, they have five children and five grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Tony Perry on the occasion of winning the 2009 "Good Neighbor" Business of the Year Award and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Tony Perry as a symbol of our esteem and respect.