HR0757LRB103 40570 LAW 73154 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Clark-Devon Hardware on 
4the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its founding; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Originally, Clark-Devon Hardware was a small 
6business purchased by a Russian immigrant named William 
7Walchak in 1924; the business grew and moved until landing at 
8its iconic location in 1985, a former movie theater with 
9enough room for future growth, where it remains today; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Under the Walchak family's ownership, Clark-Devon 
11Hardware played a key role in helping many immigrants 
12establish themselves in Chicago, providing customers with the 
13opportunity to meet people arriving from all over the world, 
14and these same customers would continue to frequent the store 
15when they became building engineers and property owners; the 
16business has played and continues to play an essential role in 
17preserving vital housing stock in Chicago; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Clark-Devon Hardware has long been a staple in 
19Rogers Park and the larger Chicago area for being a one-stop 
20shop for the ever-changing needs of property managers, 
21maintenance workers, and small businesses, stocking items that 
22may be hard to find or may no longer be available in wide 
 
 
HR0757- 2 -LRB103 40570 LAW 73154 r

1circulation; and
 
2    WHEREAS, In 2023, when Clark-Devon Hardware owners Ed and 
3Ken Walchak could not find buyers, they knew that they wanted 
4to continue the legacy of and the community built around the 
5store; they sold the business to their employees, some of whom 
6were immigrants themselves, and have subsequently continued 
7the business' heritage as a means to achieve the American 
8dream; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
10HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
11we congratulate Clark-Devon Hardware for its astounding 100 
12years of service to Rogers Park and the City of Chicago; and be 
13it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
15presented to Clark-Devon Hardware and its owners as an 
16expression of our esteem and respect.