SR0224 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0224 LRB104 13113 MST 25200 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to congratulate the Joliet Area Historical Museum on being named Museum of the Year by the Illinois Association of Museums (IAM) on April 3, 2025, one of the highest honors that the IAM can bestow upon an institution; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum, founded in 2002, is a private 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that celebrates the diverse industrial heritage and culture of the Joliet region and is funded primarily through the support of earned revenue, membership, sponsored programs, and government grants; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum expanded beyond its flagship museum in Joliet's City Center with the organization's operations of the Old Joliet Prison Historic Site in 2018; two new museums opened in 2024, which included the Martin & Emma Planinsek Grocery and Meat Market Museum, which preserves the Slovenian immigrant experience in Joliet, and the Joliet Railroad Museum, which was awarded the New Museum Award; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum also received an Award of Superior Achievement in Innovation for acquiring the iconic Route 66 Landmark Gemini Giant Muffler Man sculpture in the neighboring community of Wilmington, rescuing it from certain relocation or destruction; and

WHEREAS, The Joliet Area Historical Museum is an institution with a vision beyond one exhibit gallery, or even one building, and has become integral in the culture and the landscape of Joliet; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Joliet Area Historical Museum and their team of dedicated staff, valued members, loyal volunteers, and engaged board of directors on being named Museum of the Year by the Illinois Association of Museums; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Joliet Area Historical Museum as a symbol of our respect and esteem.