HR1056 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1056 LRB100 21375 MST 37787 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Richard Wilson McVinnie on the occasion of his retirement from the Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) after 43 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Richard McVinnie has lived in Rockford and Loves Park his entire life; he started his career with the RMTD as a mechanics helper on January 22, 1975; he has held several other positions at RMTD, including mechanic, Maintenance Manager, and, for the last 25 years, Executive Director; and

WHEREAS, During Richard McVinnie's service to the District and the citizens of Rockford, he is credited with many improvements and advancements, which include the implementation of night service in 1995, incorporating Winnebago County Paratransit Service into Rockford Paratransit Service under the RMTD umbrella, starting Sunday service, overseeing the integration of ADA requirements into a fleet of 40 fixed route vehicles, building the East Side Transfer Center, and most recently the renovation of the flagship downtown Transfer Center; and

WHEREAS, Under Rick McVinnie's direction, RMTD has grown from serving 11 routes in the city of Rockford to 18 routes encompassing much of the Northern Illinois region, including Loves Park, Machesney Park, and Belvidere; he was also instrumental in the start-up of the Stateline Mass Transit District in Roscoe, Rockton, South Beloit, Rockton Township, and Roscoe Township; and

WHEREAS, Richard McVinnie has served as a member of the Illinois Public Transportation Association Board (IPTA) and has advocated for transit improvements throughout his career; through the IPTA, he and his staff have hosted two IPTA conferences in Rockford in the last 15 years showcasing all that Rockford has to offer and bringing visitor revenue to the city; and

WHEREAS, Richard McVinnie is a 1973 graduate of Harlem High School; he married his high school sweetheart, Susan McVinnie, in 1974 and has been happily married for 44 years; they have two children, Jessica and Matthew, and five grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Richard Wilson McVinnie on his retirement from the Rockford Mass Transit District after 43 years of service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Richard McVinnie and the RMTD as a symbol of our respect and esteem.