HR1302 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1302 LRB100 24102 ALS 43416 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Thomas J. "T.J." Ross on the occasion of his retirement as the Executive Director of Pace Suburban Bus; and

WHEREAS, In July 1998, T.J. Ross began his service to Pace Suburban Bus as the Executive Director; one of his first initiatives as Executive Director was to install bike racks on all Pace fixed route buses; and

WHEREAS, From 2016 through 2018, T.J. Ross oversaw the agency's I-90 Market Expansion Program, the largest service expansion in Pace history and the first inline (on highway) bus station in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, T.J. Ross oversaw the conversion of Pace's fixed route fleet to accessible low-floor vehicles; he led the initiative to install Transit Signal Priority (TSP) in Pace's South Cook County service area, resulting in more reliable service; he converted Pace's South Division to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), reducing emissions and saving $1.2 million dollars annually in fuel; and

WHEREAS, T.J. Ross led Pace during the launch of Ventra and added Pace's first real-time information signs, dozens of new bus routes, and hundreds of vanpools; in 2006, he successfully transferred Chicago ADA Paratransit Service from the CTA to Pace, stabilizing the system and improving service; and

WHEREAS, T.J. Ross always led Pace's operations from a perspective of regional equity in operations and policy throughout the entire service area; and

WHEREAS, T.J. Ross holds masters degrees in civil engineering and public administration; he is a registered Professional Civil Engineer; and

WHEREAS, T.J. Ross's transit career includes 19 years in the private sector and 25 years in the public sector; he has held the positions of planner, engineer, maintenance director, general manager, and executive director; he did not miss one Pace Board Meeting during his 20-year career, and he leaves with the appreciation and good wishes of Pace management and staff; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Thomas J. " T.J." Ross on his accomplishments and his 20 years of loyal and dedicated service, and we wish him success in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to T.J. Ross as an expression of our esteem and respect.