HR1384 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1384 LRB096 23471 GRL 42838 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, August 28, 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit the State of Illinois, the tornado in Will County, which was the only F-5 twister to ever hit the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, In the afternoon hours of that fateful Tuesday, a 7-mile long, 700-foot wide tornado touched down in Will County, which brought torrential rainfall and wind speeds in excess of 260 miles per hour; the tornado created a path of destruction that passed directly over Plainfield and stretched over 16 miles before the twister went airborne over Joliet; and

WHEREAS, In the aftermath of the storm, 29 people were killed, including one person who died after the storm as a consequence of damage to his home, and over 350 people were injured; the tornado also destroyed or damaged a church, a library, a fire station, 3 school buildings, over 100 apartment units, and over 1,000 single family homes; and

WHEREAS, The towns of Plainfield, Crest Hill, and Joliet were so badly damaged they were declared federal and state disaster areas by President George H.W. Bush and Illinois Governor James Thompson; after generating national media attention regarding the size, strength, and devastation associated with the tornado, relief efforts were led by the National Guard and involved almost all of the dedicated citizens of the affected area; and

WHEREAS, In the face of such adversity, the citizens of Plainfield, Will County, and the surrounding area stepped up to the plate to rebuild homes, schools, and other structures, while also rebuilding relationships with neighbors and strengthening the bond they have with their communities; and

WHEREAS, In the 20 years following this disaster, the section of Will County affected by this storm has become one of the most prosperous and fastest-growing, in terms of population, regions in the state; and

WHEREAS, The anniversary of this event should serve to remember the men, women, and children who perished in this natural disaster and honor and praise those who survived the trial and aided the relief and rebuilding efforts; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we remember those who were killed by the Will County tornado of August 28, 1990, praise those who survived the tornado, and show our admiration for the resolve of the affected communities in their superb rebuilding efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Mayor Michael Collins of Plainfield, Mayor Ray Soliman of Crest Hill, Mayor Arthur Schultz of Joliet, the Will County Board, Principal Robert Smith of Plainfield High School, and Dr. John Harper, Superintendent of Plainfield Consolidated Community School District #202, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.