HR1196 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1196 LRB095 20790 GRL 49457 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois General Assembly are pleased to congratulate the members of West Suburban Access News Association on the occasion of having over 100,000 visitors to their website, WSANA.org; and

WHEREAS, The West Suburban Access News Association is a not-for-profit corporation that maintains a web site with information for persons with disabilities, their families, friends, and other interested persons; the organization was founded in 2001; from 2001 until 2005, when their website appeared, the corporation mailed monthly newsletters to its members; and

WHEREAS, The West Suburban Access News Association's mission is to provide information that will allow individuals with disabilities to live independently in and contribute to the community in which they live; such information includes human and legal rights of individuals with disabilities that equal access to programs, as well as increasing awareness of special services aimed at assisting individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The members of the West Suburban Access News Association routinely meet with civic and governmental officials to create a better environment for persons with disabilities who live independently; in December of 2006, WSANA addressed the Oak Park Village Board regarding accessibility on sidewalks of persons in wheelchairs and mobility devices; as a result of those talks, the Oak Park Village Board passed an amendment to an existing ordinance on February 20, 2007 which now requires that sidewalks be shoveled within 24 hours after a snowstorm; WSANA has also established a working relationship with executive Mr. Ollie Cantos, Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, the department which investigates violations of ADA and the Fair Housing Act; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in September of 2005, the West Suburban Access News Association's website, WSANA.org, has grown to over 225 pages, with 98,796 total visitors; having developed a sterling reputation for fast, easy-to-understand, and reliable information on their website, WSANA.org has become a major outlet for news and information on matters of concern to individuals with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, The outstanding work that the West Suburban Access News Association has done on the behalf of individuals with disabilities is worthy of the greatest respect; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the members of West Suburban Access News Association on the occasion of having over 100,000 visitors to their website and wish them continued success in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the West Suburban Access News Association as a symbol of our esteem and respect.