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Executive Order Number 04-10

June 08, 2004

Executive Order Number 04-10 (PDF, 89 KB)

State Of Illinois Executive Department - Springfield, Illinois 
EXECUTIVE ORDER
NUMBER 10 (2004)

EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING INTERSTATE 88 BETWEEN STERLING, ILLINOIS AND THE QUAD CITIES AS THE RONALD REAGAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan was a native son of Illinois, born in Tampico, Illinois , on February 6, 1911 in a five-room flat over a bakery, the second son of store clerk John Reagan and seamstress Nelle Reagan; and

WHEREAS, the Reagan family moved to Chicago’s South Side, to Monmouth, and back to Tampico before settling in Dixon, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan was baptized at the Christian Church of Dixon on July 21, 1922; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan spent seven summers working as a lifeguard at Dixon’s Lowell Park, and is credited with saving 77 swimmers from drowning in the Rock River during that time; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan graduated from Dixon High School, where he participated in drama, basketball, football and track, and was elected student body president; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan attended Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, where he appeared in 14 plays, won letters in football, swimming and track, coached the swim team, and served as study body president during his senior year; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science and economics; and

WHEREAS, Ronald Reagan cast his first vote in a national presidential election in Dixon in 1932; and

WHEREAS, the future fortieth president of the United States spent his entire youth in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, President Ronald Reagan had a long and varied career, ranging from the movie screens of Hollywood, to the Governor’s mansion in California, and finally to the White House as President of the United States; and

WHEREAS, with his death on June 6, 2004, the United States of America and the State of Illinois have lost a charismatic and inspiring leader. President Ronald Reagan leaves behind a legacy that will clearly resonate in this country and throughout the world for centuries to come; and

WHEREAS, as the Governor of Illinois, I wish to permanently commemorate the distinguished leadership of President Ronald Reagan and his personal connection to the State of Illinois.

THEREFORE, I hereby order the following:

  • The portion of Interstate 88 commencing in Sterling, Illinois and ending in the Quad Cities shall be designated the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
  • The Illinois Department of Transportation shall erect appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
  • This Executive Order shall be in full force and effect upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
Issued by Governor: June 8, 2004
Filed with Secretary of State: June 8, 2004