HR0727 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0727 LRB099 13895 MST 37887 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Housing Authority of Joliet on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its founding; and

WHEREAS, On February 26, 1945, Mayor Arthur O. Jank submitted an official statement of finding of housing in the City of Joliet, indicating that there was a shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations available to persons of lower income; that statement of finding was included as part of Resolution No. 408, approved by the City of Joliet City Council on February 26, 1945; and

WHEREAS, On April 9, 1945, the State of Illinois Housing Board approved the establishment of the Housing Authority of Joliet; the Honorable Mayor Janke then recommended the appointment of 5 citizens as the first Commissioners of the Housing Authority of Joliet: John O. Holmes (Upholsterer), Albert H. Jackson (Editorial Department of the Chicago Times), Lee E. Coleman (Methodist Minister), William J. Downey (Business Representative of the Plumbers and Steamfitters), and Albert Felman (Boston Store Owner/Operator); and

WHEREAS, On December 12, 1945, the Housing Authority of Joliet held its first Board Meeting at the American Legion Building for the purpose of organizing the Authority by adopting by-laws and a seal, electing officers, and taking such other action necessary to launch; on the same day, the Housing Authority of Joliet Board of Commissioners hired a temporary Executive Director, Harry W. Osman; the Housing Authority of Joliet immediately began planning for the development and construction of conventional low-income public housing within the City of Joliet; however, it was not until 1954 that the first housing development (Van Horne Homes) was constructed within the 300 block of South Water Street; the development consisted of 46 row homes varying in size from 1 to 4 bedroom units; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the local community thrived and grew, as did its need for additional affordable housing; it is this growth that prompted the Housing Authority of Joliet to further develop additional properties and to seek out additional low-income housing programs to meet the communities' escalating housing needs; and

WHEREAS, Since that time, the Housing Authority of Joliet has constructed and operated 1,099 public housing program rental units which have provided housing assistance to families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Leading the Housing Authority of Joliet into the 21st century is the Chief Executive Officer, Michael Simelton, who continues the Authority's history of promoting inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all and strengthening the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; and

WHEREAS, Functioning for 70 years, the Housing Authority of Joliet has been at the forefront and steadfastly committed to bringing exceptional housing services and programs to the people of the City of Joliet and surrounding Will County communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Housing Authority of Joliet on its 70th Anniversary, and we wish them many more successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Housing Authority of Joliet as an expression of our esteem and respect.