HR0802 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0802 LRB097 20583 KXB 66222 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the people of Hazel Crest on the Village's centennial; and

WHEREAS, In 1890, William McClintock purchased 80 acres of land between Homewood and Harvey; he platted the land and registered it as South Harvey; and

WHEREAS, A depot was built, opening up transportation to Chicago and beyond; the depot later served as a real estate office, a public meeting place, a Sunday school room, a day school, and eventually the post office; and

WHEREAS, After being annexed by Homewood, the community fought back, and led a campaign to de-annex from Homewood; a petition drive changed the name to Hazel Crest, due to the rolling nature of the land and the abundance of hazelnut bushes; and

WHEREAS, In 1912, the citizens voted for incorporation; a municipal service, a volunteer fire department, a public school, and St. Anne Catholic Church all soon came about after incorporation; the Illinois Central Railroad later built the Markham freight yards, bringing Polish, Italian, and Serbian workers into Hazel Crest; and

WHEREAS, The Village added many subdivisions, including Pottawatomie Hills, Highlands, Pacesetter, Appletree, Village West, Dynasty Lake, and several upscale developments over the years; and

WHEREAS, The 2010 census places the population of Hazel Crest at 14,100; and

WHEREAS, The community was one of the first to have a Human Relations Commission, now known as the Community Relations Commission; the Village has also been recognized for the volunteer spirit of its residents with 2 Governor's Home Town Awards; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the people of Hazel Crest and wish them continued good health and happiness for years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Hazel Crest Mayor Dr. Robert B. Donaldson as a symbol of our respect and esteem.