HR1235 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1235 LRB098 22130 MST 61004 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding on February 24, 2014; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Chamber was formed on February 24, 1914 with less than 25 members; today it has grown to more than 1,200; it is one of the oldest chambers in the State, and is the fourth largest chamber in the State behind Chicago, Naperville, and Rockford; and

WHEREAS, The formation of the Joliet Chamber was initiated by members of the Rotary Club of Joliet who felt that the efforts to attract businesses to locate in Joliet were scattered and disorganized, and had not produced the desired results; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Chamber was first known as the Commerce Chamber; it changed its name to the Commerce and Industrial Association, and then the Joliet Chamber of Commerce; it adopted its current name in 1962; and

WHEREAS, These days, the Joliet Chamber's main focus is on legislation and education at both the State and national levels; transportation is a major issue for businesses in Joliet and Will County, and educating area students on how to develop a product or business and fund it is paramount to producing the next generation of business leaders; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Chamber is helmed by President and Chief Executive Officer Russ Slinkard; he has been with the organization for 18 years; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Chamber's mission remains to make business more profitable and to improve the quality of life in the community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry on its 100th anniversary, and wish them many more years of success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry as an expression of our esteem and respect.