Bill Text: IL SJR0019 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designates the equestrian campground within the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Chandlerville as the "Landon Equestrian Campground". Recognizes Regina Landon and the late Roger Landon on their dedication to the people of Illinois. Recognizes Michael Landon for continuing his parents' legacy and leading Saddle-Up for St. Jude.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2023-02-06 - Referred to Assignments [SJR0019 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SJR0019-Introduced.html

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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the General Assembly
pays honor and respect to those individuals who have
contributed to the success of their community and the State
and to the efforts to cure childhood cancers and other
pediatric diseases; and
WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon of Chandlerville
established trail rides at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State
Fish and Wildlife Area, one of the State's largest public
access areas, to highlight the beautiful facets of nature
found at this location, to bring horse and fish enthusiasts
together to enjoy the trails of this wildlife area, and to
encourage camping at the location; and
WHEREAS, In 2001, Roger and Regina Landon began organizing
numerous horse trail rides at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek
State Fish and Wildlife Area to raise money for the St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude), gathering horse
enthusiasts from all over central Illinois to attend their
Saddle-Up for St. Jude event to raise money for children
diagnosed with cancer and other pediatric diseases that are
being treated at St. Jude, an event the Landon family
continues to host and organize each June to this day; and

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WHEREAS, St. Jude, located in Memphis, Tennessee, treats
children with cancer and other pediatric diseases; the
hospital's research efforts are directed at understanding the
molecular, genetic, and chemical basis of catastrophic
diseases in children, identifying cures for such diseases, and
promoting their prevention, with research being focused
specifically on cancers, acquired and inherited
immunodeficiency disorders, sickle cell disease, infectious
diseases, and genetic disorders; in Illinois, the hospital is
associated with the Children's Hospital of Illinois, located
in Peoria; and
WHEREAS, St. Jude treats children at no cost to the
patients; in order to operate, it is estimated to cost the
hospital more than $2 billion each year, with the majority of
those funds coming from generous donors and fundraising
events; and
WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon started Saddle-Up for St.
Jude in 2001 with the initial goal or becoming more successful
than similar fundraisers held in Illinois, which then averaged
$3,500; their annual benefit includes food, music, raffles,
prizes, and a silent auction, with items donated by generous
friends and acquaintances; their benefit is well-attended each
year, not only by horse enthusiasts but also by individuals
interested in supporting St. Jude; and

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WHEREAS, Roger and Regina Landon's Saddle-Up for St. Jude
raised $10,000 after its first benefit, with the event
routinely securing more donations each year; when the COVID-19
pandemic looked to derail their efforts in 2020, they pivoted
their outdoor event to a virtual fundraiser, collecting an
additional $35,000 for St. Jude; most recently, their benefit
raised over $63,000 in 2022; since the benefit's inception,
they have given over $800,000 to benefit the children at St.
Jude; and
WHEREAS, For his work and dedication, Roger Landon was
recognized as Event Coordinator of the Year by St. Jude in
2012, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the hospital,
which was established in 1962; and
WHEREAS, Sadly, Roger Landon passed in the fall of 2021;
Michael Landon, one of Roger and Regina's sons, assumed the
leadership role for the Saddle-Up for St. Jude event,
continuing his parents' efforts to bring people together in
order to support the work of St. Jude; and
WHEREAS, The Landon family remains personally interested
in the Jim Edgar Panther Creek Equestrian Park, not only
because of it being the location for Saddle-Up for St. Jude but
also for their desire to keep the park beautiful and enticing

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for everyone to visit and camp; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the
equestrian campground within the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State
Fish and Wildlife Area in Chandlerville as the "Landon
Equestrian Campground"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Department of Natural Resources is
requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
giving notice of the name "Landon Equestrian Campground"; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That we recognize Regina Landon and the late
Roger Landon on their distinguished volunteerism and their
lifelong dedication to the people of Illinois and to
preserving the natural fish and wildlife areas of Illinois;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That we recognize Michael Landon for continuing
his parents' legacy and leading Saddle-Up for St. Jude; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be

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presented to the Director of Natural Resources and the Landon
family.