HR0531 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0531 LRB102 21142 MST 30138 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Rocky Donahue on the occasion of his retirement as executive director of Pace Suburban Bus; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue was born in Calumet City; he graduated from Illinois State University and began his career in public transportation in 1983 at the Regional Transportation Authority; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue served as legislative analyst for Pace Suburban Bus starting at the agency's inception in 1984; he acquired additional responsibilities over a decades-long career and, in 2018, became the agency's executive director; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue continuously worked to improve access to transportation for Illinoisans with disabilities, working with lawmakers to make Pace the sole provider of ADA Paratransit service to all of Northeastern Illinois and working with the disability community to implement continuous improvements to the agency's ADA paratransit service, technology, and infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue advocated tirelessly for Pace riders, working to ensure sufficient funding for the service on which so many depend; his efforts to create a full, dedicated funding source for ADA paratransit service proved fruitful, as did his contributions to the establishment of the Suburban Community Mobility Fund and the South Suburban Job Access Fund, which provide millions of dollars for suburban transit service; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue worked with lawmakers and the Illinois Department of Transportation to create Pace's Bus on Shoulders program along the Stevenson Expressway, the first such service in the State of Illinois and the fastest-growing transportation service in the region since the agency's inception; the success of this program led to its expansion and the implementation of similar service on the Edens Expressway and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue worked with lawmakers to finance the largest investment in suburban transit infrastructure in the State's history through the Rebuild Illinois program; when the projects are complete, new garages in Plainfield and Wheeling, expanded garages in Bridgeview and Elgin, improved passenger facilities in Joliet, Harvey, and along the Tri-State Tollway, and improved ADA paratransit technology will serve generations of Illinoisans thanks to his vision; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue led Pace through the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking unprecedented steps to protect riders and employees while maintaining essential public transportation service to Northeastern Illinois; his fiscal responsibility and his commitment to safety, transparency, and service helped the people of this State weather a historic crisis; and

WHEREAS, As Executive Director, Rocky Donahue oversaw the creation of Driving Innovation, Pace's first strategic vision plan in 17 years, setting the agency's trajectory toward zero emissions and helping to envision a more equitable future for the State; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue was appointed to the Board of Illinois State University in 2011, where for over 10 years he has served his alma mater as trustee and as that body's chair; during his tenure as chair, he presided over increased enrollment, graduation, and student retention, as well as record fundraising; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue served on the Board of the Illinois Public Transportation Association, including two terms as its president, and has been active with groups serving Illinoisans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Good Shepherd and Arc of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Rocky Donahue's 38 years of public service have benefited bus riders, people with disabilities, students, taxpayers, and all Illinoisans; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Rocky Donahue on his retirement as executive director of Pace Suburban Bus and wish him a long, happy, and healthy retirement; and be it further

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