SPRINGFIELD – State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) received unanimous support for HJR 87, a House Joint Resolution that renames a stretch of Hwy. 148 near Christopher, Illinois in Rep. Severin’s district in honor of fallen Christopher firefighter Kody M. Vanfossan. The full text of the resolution is available here. Rep. Severin has previously honored Kody Vanfossan via House Resolution 361 in the 101st General Assembly.
“I am proud to stand with the Vanfossan family and to have received unanimous support from my colleagues for HJR 87 to rename a highway in Kody Vanfossan’s hometown after him. I hope, with this action we can memorialize Kody and remind everyone that passes by that our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect all of us every day. We thank Kody, we miss him, and we honor all firefighters for their service and sacrifice.”
Illinois General Assembly – Full Text of HJR0087 (ilga.gov)
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 87
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of 3rd generation volunteer firefighter Kody Michael Vanfossan of Christopher, who passed away while responding to a building
fire on May 5, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Kody Vanfossan made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of and in service to his community while responding to a six alarm fire with the Christopher Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Kody Vanfossan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Libero and Delphine Bartolotti, Mitch Wilkerson, Bob Adams, and Tom Vanfossan; and
WHEREAS, Kody Vanfossan was survived by his son, Erik Michael Vanfossan; his parents; his brother; and his sister; and
WHEREAS, The members of the 101st General Assembly offered their respect and esteem for the ultimate sacrifice paid by fallen firefighter Kody Vanfossan via House Resolution 361; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate Illinois Route 148 north of the City of Christopher at the city limits north of the intersection of Harrison Street and Highway 148 and south of the City of Christopher at the northeast intersection of Yellow Banks Road and Illinois Route 148 as the “Firefighter Kody M. Vanfossan Memorial Highway”; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Illinois Department of Transportation is requested to erect at suitable locations, consistent with
State and federal regulations, appropriate plaques or signs giving notice of the name of “Firefighter Kody M. Vanfossan Memorial Highway”; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Kody Vanfossan, the City of
Christopher, and the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation.