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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives mourn the loss of Monsignor Ignatius
4 McDermott, who died on December 31, 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Monsignor McDermott was born on July 31, 1909 on
6 Chicago's South Side and lived to the age of 95; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Monsignor McDermott, known as "Father Mac", was
8 ordained in 1936 after studying at the Quigley Preparatory
9 Seminary and Mundelein's St. Mary of the Lake Seminary; and
 
10     WHEREAS, While studying for the priesthood in 1930, Father
11 Mac worked at Arlington Park racetrack and began ministering to
12 the homeless and alcoholics who populated the area along his
13 commute known as "Skid Row"; and
 
14     WHEREAS, In 1946, Father Mac was named assistant director
15 for the Chicago Archdiocese's Catholic Charities; and
 
16     WHEREAS, He served as a parish priest and Chicago
17 Archdiocese administrator before co-founding the Haymarket
18 House at the age of 65; and
 
19     WHEREAS, The Haymarket Center was officially founded on New
20 Year's Eve in 1975 by Monsignor McDermott and Dr. James West,
21 who were long-time colleagues in the field of substance abuse;
22 and
 
23     WHEREAS, The Haymarket Center was initially housed in a
24 brick structure at 12 South Peoria Street, and became a haven
25 for alcoholics with no other treatment available for their
26 addiction; and
 
27     WHEREAS, Urban renewal forced two moves before a location

 

 

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1 was found in 1985 at the corner of West Washington Boulevard
2 and Sangamon Street; and
 
3     WHEREAS, The McDermott Foundation was formed soon after
4 this move to support the Haymarket Center's new location; the
5 Haymarket Center was renamed the McDermott Center, and more
6 than $10 million was raised during the ensuing decade to help
7 finance structural improvements to the building complex; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Monsignor McDermott died on the 29th anniversary
9 of the Haymarket Center, the institution he co-founded; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Father Mac's 68 years in the priesthood were spent
11 caring for people in need and helping people overcome their
12 addiction to alcohol; and
 
13     WHEREAS, The avid sports fan who loved his White Sox team
14 often used football, baseball, and basketball analogies in his
15 sermons; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Many remember the kind Irishman who helped them
17 through difficult times and was a friend to all; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Even in his final days, Father Mac thought of
19 others and continued to pray for his friends; and
 
20     WHEREAS, We remember the life of a great religious leader
21 and community servant; therefore, be it
 
22     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
23 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
24 mourn the passing of Monsignor Ignatius McDermott along with
25 all who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
26     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
27 presented to the Haymarket Center and the McDermott Foundation

 

 

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1 as a token of our deepest sympathy.