HR0314 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY


  

 


 
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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to recognize the actions of the emergency
4medical service (EMS) workers, law enforcement, fire fighters,
5and IDOT workers who responded to the multi-vehicle crash on
6Interstate 55 caused by a dust storm on May 1, 2023; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The dust storm caused crashes involving 72
8vehicles, which resulted in seven fatalities and multiple
9injuries on Interstate 55 within a two-mile stretch between
10mileposts 76 to 78; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Those responding to the incident included
12Assistant Chief Brian Byers of the Farmersville/Waggoner Fire
13Protection District who took command, Chief Mike Webb who
14arrived on-scene after AC Byers and wisely allowed Brian to
15continue as incident commander because he was doing such a
16fine job, the firefighters who tackled the raging fire, Chief
17Adam Pennock on his first day as full-time fire chief for the
18Litchfield Fire Department who worked hand in hand with Brian
19Byers on getting the victims transported in a timely fashion,
20Chief Jess McKee and members of the Carlinville Fire
21Department who dealt with removal of the deceased victims,
22Tyson Holhouser with the sheriff's office and other local
23police who maintained the safety of the roadways, Casey Canter

 

 

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1who stayed at the landing zone and performed flawlessly, and
2all the EMS staff who shined on this horrible day; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Predominantly volunteer firefighters and EMS
4staff responded to the multi-vehicle crash, taking time away
5from family, friends, and jobs to respond to an incident that
6was more reminiscent of a war zone or Hollywood movie set than
7anything that could have been imagined; their professionalism
8and capabilities were awe inspiring, and this community,
9county, and State owes them a debt of gratitude and can rest
10assured that the finest first responders in America are right
11here in the heartland; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The actions of these first responders saved lives
13and ensured the injured were receiving critical medical care
14in a timely manner; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
16HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we recognize the actions of the emergency medical service
18(EMS) workers, law enforcement, fire fighters, and IDOT
19workers who responded to the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate
2055 caused by a dust storm on May 1, 2023; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
22delivered to all first responders who responded to the crash.