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1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Christopher Allan "Chris" James, age 48, of
3 Savanna, died tragically in an accident on May 23, 2023; and
4 WHEREAS, Chris James was born to Derek "Rick" James and
5 Patricia Colehour on March 1, 1975; he grew up in Mt. Carroll
6 and graduated from Mt. Carroll High School in 1993; he married
7 Jamie Schnitzler, and together they had two sons; he married
8 Samantha Sipe on July 4, 2016; and
9 WHEREAS, Chris James worked for Guffey Motors (now JC
10 Carey Motors) as a mechanic; he loved working on cars, a
11 passion he kept throughout his life; he then worked for Elkay
12 for approximately a decade, before starting a career with the
13 Illinois Department of Corrections, first as a correctional
14 officer, then vehicle maintenance, and then as a groundsman;
15 and
16 WHEREAS, Chris James served as a councilman and treasurer
17 for AFSCME; he also served on the Savanna City Council; and
18 WHEREAS, Chris James kept busy with all sorts of projects
19 and endeavors centered around those he loved; he enjoyed
20 vacationing in Hawaii with family and taking spur-of-the
21 moment road trips; he was always available for people who
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1 needed him; his family was very important to him, and he kept
2 many lifelong friendships; he was a big supporter of MC
3 Motocross and the Rhythm Section Amphitheater; and
4 WHEREAS, Chris James was preceded in death by his
5 grandparents, Dick and Diane James, and his father-in-law,
6 Michael Sipe; and
7 WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Chris James was
8 survived by his wife, Sam; his sons, Hunter and Chase (Abbie)
9 James; his stepchildren, Kharissa and Austin Anderson; his
10 grandchildren, Emmett Dunk and Carter James; his parents, Jeff
11 and Patty Janssen and Rick James; his sister, Beth (Dave)
12 Jones; his nephews, Cody Johnson, David Jones III, and Charlie
13 Jones; his honorary brother, Reid B. Law; his mother-in-law,
14 Jodie Sipe; his "work wife", Denise Chandler; and many other
15 beloved family members and friends; therefore, be it
16 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
17 HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
18 SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 84
19 from 1030 Viaduct Road (south point) to U.S. 52 (intersection
20 of Chicago Avenue and Viaduct Road) in Savanna as the "Chris
21 James Memorial Highway"; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation
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1 is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
2 State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs
3 giving notice of the name "Chris James Memorial Highway"; and
4 be it further
5 RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
6 presented to the family of Chris James, the Mayor of Savanna,
7 and the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.
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