Bill Text: IL SR0216 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates the Morris Theatre Guild, Inc. on its 50th anniversary. Commends the organization's perseverance and commitment to the performing arts. Encourages the guild to continue enriching the lives of its community and the State with its dedication to the beauty and wonder that is the theater.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-05 - Resolution Adopted [SR0216 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0216-Introduced.html

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SR0216 LRB103 32055 LAW 60980 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to
congratulate the Morris Theatre Guild, Inc. on the occasion of
its 50th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild is a not-for-profit
community theater formed in 1973 and organized by volunteers
with an interest in the production of live theater in all of
its aspects, both onstage and backstage; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild's first production was
the play January Thaw, which was presented in the auditorium
of the Morris Community High School; and
WHEREAS, After performing at various venues in Morris and
the surrounding areas for many years, the Morris Theatre Guild
purchased the site of the old Free Methodist Church at 507
Liberty Street in Morris in 1987; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild, after extensive
building renovations, presented the play Footlight Frenzy as
its first performance in its new location in 1989; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild's ongoing renovations,
completed either by volunteers or financed by donations,

SR0216 - 2 - LRB103 32055 LAW 60980 r
continued up to October 3, 2006, when the building was
tragically destroyed by fire; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild purchased a condo unit
in the newly renovated Coleman building at the west end of
Illinois Avenue in Morris in February 2010, which is now known
as the Canalport Community Center; the guild's first show in
its new location was the play Hay Fever, which was presented in
March 2010; and
WHEREAS, Despite two shows being cancelled due to COVID-19
in the spring and fall of 2020, the Morris Theatre Guild was
able to pay off its building loan during the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild returned with a winter
show in 2021, performing Momologues 2: Off to School, which
was offered for viewing both virtually and in person; and
WHEREAS, The Morris Theatre Guild continues to plan for
the future and to upgrade its current facility; and
WHEREAS, For the past 50 years, the Morris Theatre Guild
has made the performing arts available to the Morris community
while proving the old adage, the show must go on; therefore, be
it

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RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the
Morris Theatre Guild, Inc. on its 50th anniversary, and we
commend the organization's perseverance and commitment to the
performing arts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage the Morris Theatre Guild to
continue enriching the lives of its community and the State
with its dedication to the beauty and wonder that is the
theater; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Morris Theatre Guild as an expression of our
esteem and respect.