HR0990 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0990 LRB104 22493 LAW 38938 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Village of Winthrop Harbor on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of its incorporation, a milestone that reflects a proud legacy of community, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of its residents; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor is situated in Lake County, approximately 45 miles north of Chicago and 47 miles south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, along the western shore of Lake Michigan; it holds the distinction of being the northeasternmost point in the State of Illinois, carrying the motto "Cornerstone of Illinois", a fitting description of a community that has long anchored the northeastern edge of our great State; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor is a proud part of the great 61st State House District, a district that runs along the Wisconsin border to the north and the shores of Lake Michigan to the east, encompassing some of the most storied and scenic communities in northern Lake County; the village's history, character, and continued growth are a source of great pride for the constituents and representative of District 61; and

WHEREAS, The earliest recorded settlers of what is now Winthrop Harbor were Nelson Landon and Jeremiah Stowell, who arrived from Niles, Michigan en route from Chicago toward Green Bay, Wisconsin around 1835; finding the area suited to their needs, Nelson Landon built the first home in the area, a modest 12-by-12-foot cabin situated near what is now 13th Street and Adams or 15th Street and Kellogg Creek, before returning to Michigan to bring his wife, Phoebe Phelps Landon, to her new home; Phoebe Landon proceeded to become the first woman settler to give birth in Benton Township on July 27, 1836, and her cabin became a welcoming way station for other settlers seeking a place to rest, a meal, or a cup of hot coffee; Nelson Landon subsequently farmed more than 1,000 acres and served as a prominent political figure in Lake County who was instrumental in relocating the county seat from Burlington, now known as Libertyville, to Little Fort, or Waukegan today; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor takes its name from Winthrop, Massachusetts, reflecting the ambitions of its early developers, with J.H. Van Vlissingen first envisioning development of the area in 1883; the Winthrop Harbor and Dock Company acquired more than 2,000 acres of land just south of the Wisconsin state line in 1899, platting the village and laying the foundation for organized community life; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor was formally incorporated on July 15, 1901, shortly before the incorporation of its neighbor, the City of Zion; though originally envisioned for industrial development, it evolved throughout the twentieth century into the family-friendly residential lakefront community it is today, a place where neighbors know one another and community pride runs deep; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor is home to North Point Marina, the largest freshwater marina in the United States, encompassing 140 acres on the shores of Lake Michigan and hosting more than 1,500 boat slips, public beaches, a fishing pier, a yacht club, and 40 fishing charters; the marina draws nearly one million visitors annually and serves as an economic and recreational anchor for northeastern Illinois and the broader Chicago metropolitan region; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor is adjacent to Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park, a 4,160-acre natural area that preserves the only remaining beach ridge and swale habitat in the State of Illinois; the park is home to more than 650 native plant species and 300 animal species, including more than 60 state-protected species and several federally protected ones, making the area a destination of both recreational and ecological significance; and

WHEREAS, The Village of Winthrop Harbor is part of a vibrant northern Lake County region that includes Naval Station Great Lakes, the United States Navy's only boot camp, situated just miles to the south; for well over a century, its proximity to this vital national defense installation has woven the fabric of military service and community into the daily life of local residents; and

WHEREAS, For 125 years, the Village of Winthrop Harbor's residents, elected officials, and employees have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public service, sound governance, and the quality of life of all who call this lakefront area home, and the community continues to invest in its future through economic development, infrastructure, parks, and the cultivation of civic pride that makes it a model community in the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Village of Winthrop Harbor on the 125th anniversary of its incorporation, celebrated on July 15, 2026, and we commend its residents, officials, and civic leaders for their dedication to building a strong, vibrant, and welcoming community on the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the Village of Winthrop Harbor for its rich history, from its earliest settler families who built their first cabin in the wilderness of Benton Township to the thriving lakefront community it is today, and we extend our best wishes to all who live, work, and find joy along its storied shore; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Mayor Dr. Michael Bruno and the Village of Winthrop Harbor Board of Trustees as an expression of our esteem and respect.