Bill Text: IL HR0360 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the Village of Westville on its 150th anniversary. Wishes the village continued success in the years to come.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-10-24 - Resolution Adopted [HR0360 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0360-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to congratulate the Village of Westville
on the occasion of its 150th sesquicentennial celebration; and
WHEREAS, Westville was platted in 1873 and petitioned to
become a village in July 1896, with the first village board
meeting being held in September 1896; and
WHEREAS, Westville's early days were closely tied to the
coal industry as a primary industry and a way of life, leading
the village to become known as a melting pot of nations due to
the many nationalities that immigrated to the United States
and eventually made their way to work in the local coal mines,
with the village once being home to as many as 37 different
nationalities; its miners returned home each day by way of the
Westville Train Depot, established in 1885, which remains
located in the center of the village and has been restored to
serve as a museum filled with local history and includes a
caboose, two coal cars, a mural, and a coal mining silhouette;
and
WHEREAS, Westville opened its first U.S. Post Office in
1876; its first bank, the First National Bank, was opened in
1904; the village's water system began in 1926, which

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coincided with the opening of Zamberletti Park; its first
library was launched in 1937; and
WHEREAS, Westville's first public schools were the Central
and Edison schools, with the first Central School building
being purchased by Saints Peter & Paul Church; the village's
Westville School District, known today as Westville Community
Unit School District #2, was founded in 1910 and now includes
the Judith Giacoma Elementary School, Westville Junior High
School, and Westville High School; and
WHEREAS, Westville has been a strong contender in
athletics over the years; the village is home to the 1923
Westville High School football team, referred to as the "1000%
Team" for remaining undefeated and allowing no opponent to
score, and the annual Coal Bucket football game, established
in 1963; the village will be celebrating the 100th and 60th
anniversaries of the team and game, respectively, this year;
the village is also the hometown of Hayden Copass, who won an
IHSA Class 1A State Wrestling Championship in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Westville has retained a strong local business
community since its inception and has been home to many fine
businesses over its 150-year history, with some of the
village's most notable establishments including the Jacket
Factory, Joy Ann Bakery, The Grab It Here Store, Lisick

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Appliance, Bob's Bargain Barn, Le Grand Cleaners, and McMillan
Appliance; the village was also home to the Bee Line Transit
Corporation, founded by Dominic "Nick" Giacoma, which became
an asset to the south end of Vermilion County, providing jobs
and transportation for many years; and
WHEREAS, Westville's churches have played an important
role in the community, dating back to the founding of the
Christian Church in 1870 and Saints Peter & Paul Church, the
oldest Roman Catholic Church, in 1897; today, Westville boasts
three churches, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Trinity United
Church of Christ, and the Westville First Church of Christ;
and
WHEREAS, Currently, Westville's residents are under the
care and protection of the Westville Police Department and the
volunteer Westville Area Fire Protection District; and
WHEREAS, Westville remains a community whose residents are
proud to honor and celebrate their village's history while
continuing to make the village a great place to live;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we congratulate the Village of Westville on its 150th

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anniversary, and we wish the village continued success in the
years to come; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the Village of Westville as an expression of our
esteem and respect.