HJ0047 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0047 LRB103 36353 MST 66452 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and State and, in doing so, have made the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, Chief Arthur L. Weston was born to Leo and Dorothy Weston in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 1, 1925; he graduated from West High School in 1943; he served with the U.S. Army during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Chief Weston started his career as a patrolman for the Loves Park Police Department; he was the former police chief and organizer of the Rock Valley security force; he also served as the Byron and Roscoe police chief as well as deputy coroner for Winnebago County and deputy in the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department; and

WHEREAS, Chief Weston married Marion Weston on August 21, 1947; he was a loving husband and father to Marion and his five children, Cindy Gau, Vickey Robert, Debbie Pasch, Wanda Vertterlli, and William Weston; and

WHEREAS, Chief Weston was a proud member of the Illinois Police Association, the Rockton Rotary Club, and the Rockton American Legion; and

WHEREAS, On October 27, 1977, Chief Weston responded to a burglary-in-progress call and located the suspect in an upstairs bedroom; after an intense struggle, he was able to place the suspect into custody; as he was transporting the suspect to jail, he began to have chest pains and called for backup; he was taken to a local hospital, where he died approximately one hour later; and

WHEREAS, Chief Weston gave his life in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Chief Weston was survived by his wife, Marion, and his children, Cindy, Vickey, Debbie, Wanda, and William; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the section of Illinois Route 2 in Rockton as the "Chief Arthur L. Weston Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name "Chief Arthur L. Weston Memorial Highway"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Chief Weston and the Secretary of Transportation.