HR0487 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0487 LRB103 35014 LAW 64937 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Joanne Zillman on the occasion of her retirement as deputy director and youth services manager of Batavia Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Joanne Zillman has worked for Batavia Public Library for 26 years, starting in 1997; and

WHEREAS, As deputy director of Batavia Public Library, Joanne Zillman has developed community connections and partnerships; she has also represented the library at professional meetings throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, As manager of the Youth Service Department, Joanne Zillman has provided countless hours of lively programming, including summer and winter reading events, animal visits, after-hours sessions, story times, craft projects, STEAM experiences, babysitting classes, and off-site programs; and

WHEREAS, Joanne Zillman has been a champion of Born to Read, an early literacy program in which eligible families with new babies receive a free book bag with information on literacy, as well as board books in English or Spanish; and

WHEREAS, Joanne Zillman previously served as part of the management team that planned and opened the new 54,000 square-foot library building at 10 South Batavia Avenue in January 2002, a location that prominently highlighted Youth Services with hands-on stations, outdoor program areas, and appropriate technology; and

WHEREAS, Joanne Zillman also helped steer Batavia Public Library through the challenges and changes that stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic; while serving as co-chair of Batavia Counts 2020 amid the U.S. Census, she managed a significant grant to support census efforts, an initiative that was instrumental in Batavia's response rate being 82.9%, compared to the regional response rate of 69.8%; and

WHEREAS, Joanne Zillman has been recognized as a Library Leader, an award bestowed biennially to individuals for sustained, outstanding contributions to Batavia Public Library; she is the award's ninth recipient since it was established in 2003; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Joanne Zillman on the occasion of her retirement from Batavia Public Library, and we thank her for her commitment to serving the children and families of the City of Batavia; and be it further

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