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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3congratulate the Joliet Area Historical Museum on being named 
4Museum of the Year by the Illinois Association of Museums 
5(IAM) on April 3, 2025, one of the highest honors that the IAM 
6can bestow upon an institution; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum, founded in 
82002, is a private 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that 
9celebrates the diverse industrial heritage and culture of the 
10Joliet region and is funded primarily through the support of 
11earned revenue, membership, sponsored programs, and government 
12grants; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum expanded beyond 
14its flagship museum in Joliet's City Center with the 
15organization's operations of the Old Joliet Prison Historic 
16Site in 2018; two new museums opened in 2024, which included 
17the Martin & Emma Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market Museum, 
18which preserves the Slovenian immigrant experience in Joliet, 
19and the Joliet Railroad Museum, which was awarded the New 
20Museum Award; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum also received 
22an Award of Superior Achievement in Innovation for acquiring 
 
 
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1the iconic Route 66 Landmark Gemini Giant Muffler Man 
2sculpture in the neighboring community of Wilmington, rescuing 
3it from certain relocation or destruction; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum is an 
5institution with a vision beyond one exhibit gallery, or even 
6one building, and has become integral in the culture and the 
7landscape of Joliet; therefore, be it
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
9ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the 
10Joliet Area Historical Museum and their team of dedicated 
11staff, valued members, loyal volunteers, and engaged board of 
12directors on being named Museum of the Year by the Illinois 
13Association of Museums; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
15presented to the Joliet Area Historical Museum as a symbol of 
16our respect and esteem.