HR0247 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0247 LRB097 11383 KXB 53672 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Steven Simons, Illinois State Police District 6, Pontiac, retired on December 31, 2010, after a total of 35 years of exemplary State service to the citizens of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons received his bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and began his service in 1975, serving as an educator and basketball coach at the Charleston School District, dedicating 22 years to educational endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons began his career with the Illinois State Police in 1997 as a Trooper in District 21, where he served with pride and dignity, initiating many quality criminal and traffic arrests; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons continued to serve Illinois citizens by transferring to District 6 in 1999, serving in patrol; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons served as a Regional Staff Officer in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons returned to District 6 serving as an evidence custodian and was subsequently promoted to sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons then oversaw the multi-million dollar construction of the new District 6 facility; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons was promoted to field Master Sergeant in 2006, serving as a Platoon Supervisor, which placed him on all three shifts guiding the development of officers and overseeing many operational incidents; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons has made innumerable positive contributions while serving with the Illinois State Police, among them: Control and Arrest Tactics instructor, Physical Fitness Monitor, Crash Review Board member, ISP Academy assessor, ISP Academy Curriculum Committee member, Field Training Officer, yearbook coordinator, and extensive ISP Heritage Foundation work; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons has received several distinguished recognitions and awards for his dedication as both an Illinois High School Association basketball coach and member of the Illinois State Police, including the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award, ISP Unit Citation for his response to the Bourbonnais Amtrak derailment incident in 1999, and he was the ISP District 6 Officer of the Year nominee in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Master Sergeant Simons has served his community, his profession, and the State of Illinois with intelligence, dedication, and the highest integrity; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Master Sergeant Steve Simons on his retirement and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Master Sergeant Steve Simons as a symbol of our respect and esteem.