HR0360 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0360 LRB103 33120 LAW 62927 r

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 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 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 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.