Bill Text: IL HJR0115 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designates the 47th Street Bridge over Interstate 294 as the "Brooks Edwin Tonn Memorial Bridge".

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-25 - Referred to Rules Committee [HJR0115 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HJR0115-Introduced.html

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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is highly fitting that the Illinois General
Assembly pays honor and respect to those who have made a
difference in their community and in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Edwin Tonn was born on August 29, 2007, the
beloved son of Nora (Keenan) and Robert Tonn; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn grew up in Hinsdale, where he excelled
in academics at school and in sports; he was always first to be
on the field and was always ready for a pick-up game or to
watch the others play; he was the pitcher on his beloved
baseball team, the Hinsdale Red Dogs, and quarterback on his
Hinsdale Falcons football team; he loved playing golf and
swimming; and
WHEREAS, In December of 2016, Brooks Tonn was diagnosed
with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer; and
WHEREAS, Cancer did not stop Brooks Tonn's dedication to
those around him or the sports he loved, especially baseball;
and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn even timed his cancer treatments so he
could attend school and play the sports he loved; and

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WHEREAS, During the year of his medical treatments, Brooks
Tonn, a lifelong baseball fan, played in 54 games for his
cherished Red Dogs, the Hinsdale Little League, and the
Hinsdale All Stars; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn made sure that all kids were welcome
in any game he played; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn was introduced to Jason Garrett, the
head coach of the Dallas Cowboys; after their first meeting,
they became fast friends, and Garrett gave Brooks his personal
phone number, so they could keep in touch through text; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn was given the opportunity to fly to
Dallas to meet the Dallas Cowboys and watch a private practice;
he was presented with the game ball, which made him forget how
much discomfort he felt from his treatments; and
WHEREAS, Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs, a survivor of
cancer himself, visited Brooks Tonn and sat with him while he
was receiving chemotherapy treatments; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn lived by the motto "Have Courage and
Be Kind," and his community rallied behind him and that belief;
and

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WHEREAS, From the day Brooks Tonn was diagnosed to his last
moments, Reverend Wayne Watts was present, offering spiritual
support for the entire family; and
WHEREAS, During his treatments, Brooks Tonn met many
wonderful people who helped him and his family cope with the
difficulties he faced on a daily basis; dozens of family
members and friends joined together to offer a meal-prep
service to his whole family for months, giving them the
opportunity to focus on the fight they were facing; and
WHEREAS, Local newspapers published stories about Brooks
Tonn while he was in the earlier stages of his treatment;
through a friend, his story was shared with actress and
director Lisa Varga, who interviewed Brooks and developed a
documentary about his fight against cancer; and
WHEREAS, Brooks Tonn passed away peacefully on December 1,
2017 and is survived by his loving parents; he was the dear
brother of Hunter, Griffin, and Scarlett; the cherished
grandson of Nancy and William Brooks Keenan and Barbara and
Donald Tonn; the cherished nephew of Betsy and Brian Moran,
Bill and Denise Keenan, Trish and Patrick Kinsella, Dan and
Tracey Keenan, Tom and Danielle Keenan, and Donald Jr. and Kari
Tonn; the dearest cousin of Kate and Christian Arquilla, Finn

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Arquilla, Jack, Christopher, and Nora Moran, William IV and
Hannah Keenan, Genevieve, Patrick Cass, and Colette Kinsella,
Christopher, Lauren, Jane, and Ben Keenan, Patrick, Caroline,
and Sean Keenan, Lindsey Kaplan-Herman, and Amanda Tonn; and
WHEREAS, Following Brooks Tonn's passing, more than 2,000
friends, family, dignitaries, and community members attended
his memorial service and funeral; and
WHEREAS, The Brooks Strong Foundation was formed in memory
of Brooks Tonn; and
WHEREAS, The Brooks Strong Foundation funds cutting-edge
pediatric cancer research and provides scholarships to defray
the cost of sports and extracurricular activities for families
with kids going through cancer treatment; and
WHEREAS, The Hinsdale Little League has honored Brooks Tonn
with the creation of the Brooks Tonn Award for the player on
each team that demonstrates a commitment to teamwork, effort,
and kindness; and
WHEREAS, Like a shooting star, Brooks Tonn's brilliant,
shining glow, his smile, and his energy, lit up the lives of
everyone who had the privilege of knowing him, but are gone too
soon; just because he is no longer here, it does not mean he

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will be forgotten; his presence resonates through all who knew
him and through the Brooks Strong Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Since the day of Brooks Tonn's passing, blue and
yellow cups have adorned the 47th Street Bridge over Interstate
294 with his rallying cry "Brooks Strong"; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting that we provide a lasting honor to
the memory of Brooks Tonn; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the 47th Street
Bridge over Interstate 294 as the "Brooks Edwin Tonn Memorial
Bridge"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Toll Highway Authority is
requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with State
and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving
notice of the name of the "Brooks Edwin Tonn Memorial Bridge";
and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
presented to the family of Brooks Tonn, the Illinois Toll
Highway Authority, and the Brooks Strong Foundation.