Grundy Reporter

Sen. Sue Rezin says it was an honor when she hosted the Highway Naming Ceremony for the late Dennis M Neary.

In a Sept. 15 Facebook post, Rezin shared her experience at the Highway Naming Ceremony for Dennis M. Neary.

"It was an honor and a privilege to host the Highway Naming Ceremony for the late Dennis M Neary yesterday at Campbell Park in Coal City," Rezin said. "Thank you to everyone who shared efforts to make this event such a wonderful tribute. Gold Bless you, Dennis Neary and the Neary Family! #38thSenateDistrict #CoalCity #RoadNaming #IllinoisRoute113 #CoalCityPolice #CoalCityFire #CoalCityEMS #GrundyCounty #75thRepresentativeDistrict."

In a June 12, 2021, Facebook video, Sen. Rezin shared information about Dennis Neary. "I’m proud, this resolution took me five years to get it called. So Senate joint resolution 6 designates route 113 from carbon hill Rd to Virginia Street, in Coal City as the Dennis M. Neary Memorial Highway. Dennis Neary was born on July 11th, 1950, to Edwin and Marilyn, of Morris. He went on to attend schools in Joliet junior college. Dennis began his career in law enforcement with the Grundy County Sheriff's Department in 1972. He was hired as a police officer in Coal City and went on to serve as the chief of police for over 30 years. During that time, he also served 35 years with the Coal City Volunteer Fire Department and many of those years as Captain. He also served as an EMT for six years. In 2002, he received the Coal City Community Service Award. On October 2, 2016, Dennis Neary passed away leaving behind his wife Kathy of 43 years two sons and three grandchildren."

In the Senate, Rezin was a primary sponsor of the resolution to honor Mr. Neary. In the House, that primary sponsor was Rep. David Welter.

The bill passed on April 4, 2022, unanimously.