RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2019
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the 140th Anniversary of the Village of La Grange
Body
WHEREAS, Franklin D. Cossitt’s vision of building a quality community began when he purchased and developed a large tract of land that was incorporated as the Village of La Grange on July 11, 1879; and
WHEREAS, born in Granby, Connecticut, Mr. Cossitt moved to Chicago from La Grange, Tennessee, in 1862. Mr. Cossitt built a wholesale grocery business which became the largest in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, in 1870 Mr. Cossitt purchased 600 acres of land adjacent to the railroad that included the area bounded by Ogden Avenue on the north, 47th street on the south, Bluff Avenue on the east and Waiola Avenue on the west. Mr. Cossitt decided to call the land La Grange, after the Tennessee town in which he had previously lived and worked; and
WHEREAS, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 spurred movement westward to the suburbs. To increase appeal, Mr. Cossitt planted trees, allocated property for churches and schools, and built fine-quality homes; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the Village of La Grange has continued to grow both geographically and demographically; and
WHEREAS, over its long history, the Village of La Grange has retained a strong sense of community, with historic homes, a traditional downtown business district, schools, parks, and public transportation, all of which contribute to the community’s character, quality of life and economic vibrancy; and
WHEREAS, the Village of La Grange is one of the 125 suburban communities that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) serves. Over the years, the District and the Village of La Grange have developed a productive partnership, which has resulted in the completion of numerous projects such as the replacement of two parking lots with permeable pavers utilizing funding received from the District’s green infrastructure program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and staff, do hereby recognize the 140th Anniversary of the Village of La Grange; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to the Village of La Grange.
September 5, 2019