HR0525 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0525 LRB102 21149 MST 30155 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Jim Ardis on the occasion of his retirement as mayor of the City of Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis has served as mayor from 2005 to 2021; prior to his election as mayor, he was appointed to the Peoria city liquor commission in 1997; he served on the Peoria City Council as an at-large member from 1999 through 2005; he is currently the second-longest serving mayor in city history; and

WHEREAS, Public service has been a legacy for Mayor Ardis's family; his father, Jim Ardis Jr., served as a Peoria city councilman from 1969 to 1973 and his grandfather, John Bulger, served as Peoria County Clerk; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis's time as mayor has seen improvements in infrastructure, public safety, economic development, neighborhood stability, relationships with other units of local government, and public and private education in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis has been instrumental in many projects throughout Peoria; he established the Peoria Promise, which is a groundbreaking school scholarship program that supports economic development by giving young people a chance to stay in Peoria for a higher education, therefore delivering a more skilled workforce in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis launched the Don't Shoot violence prevention initiative, which sought to decrease shootings and gang-related violence; this program required an immense amount of communication, planning, and execution; this prevention initiative has saved lives and community resources and produces a better and more safe community; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis implemented a litter-pick program, reinforcing the city's efforts to encourage a litter-free community; he called for a coordinated liter removal and environmental management throughout Peoria and created the litter committee aimed at getting citizens involved in beautifying Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis expanded tourism opportunities in Peoria in many transformative ways; he oversaw the restoration of the Hotel Pere Marquette to a world class Marriott hotel and accompanying Courtyard Marriott attached via skyway to the expanded Peoria Civic Center; he also led the transfer of city-owned land in downtown Peoria to develop the Peoria Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitor's Center; these tourism promotion activities helped bring revenue to Peoria through attraction of visitors and conventions to the hotel and the Peoria Civic Center; and

WHEREAS, Recreation opportunities were initiated in the Peoria community under Mayor Ardis's leadership as well, including projects such as the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex and the expansion and connection of the Kellar Branch of the Rock Island Trail, a project awaiting action for more than three decades for the region; and

WHEREAS, A consummate advocate in Springfield on behalf of issues related to cities and villages, Mayor Ardis served as an Illinois Municipal League Board Member and Executive Board Member; he was a strong leader for municipal policy issues in Springfield on the need for pension relief for cities and an early advocate for concealed carry in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Peoria Warehouse District was developed through the leadership of Mayor Ardis, including the creation of the Warehouse District TIF, securing 25 million in state and federal infrastructure and funding the completion of numerous redevelopment agreements that delivered new restaurants, shops, and residential facilities to the community; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis has shown great dedication to the City of Peoria and to the citizens of Central Illinois by his skillful navigation through the great recession and the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Ardis's goal has always been the betterment of the City of Peoria by demonstrating core values of responsibility, professionalism, accountability, and transparency; he has worked tirelessly to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous community; he has excelled at making tough decisions and building opportunities for Peoria to attract jobs, retain talent, and provide a welcoming environment to families throughout the community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Jim Ardis on his retirement as the mayor of the City of Peoria, and we wish him the best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mayor Ardis as a symbol of our respect and esteem.