IL HR1384

August 28, 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of an F-5 tornado that struck Will County on August 28, 1990, the only F-5 twister to ever hit the Chicago area.

The tornado was 7 miles long and 700 feet wide with wind speeds exceeding 260 miles per hour, killing 29 people and injuring over 350, while destroying or damaging over 1,000 single family homes, 100+ apartment units, and multiple public buildings including a church, library, fire station, and 3 school buildings.

Plainfield, Crest Hill, and Joliet were declared federal and state disaster areas by President George H.W. Bush and Illinois Governor James Thompson.

House Resolution 1384 honors those killed in the tornado, praises survivors, and commends the affected communities for their rebuilding efforts that transformed the region into one of the state's most prosperous and fastest-growing areas.

Copies of the resolution shall be presented to the mayors of Plainfield, Crest Hill, and Joliet, the Will County Board, Plainfield High School Principal Robert Smith, and the Superintendent of Plainfield Consolidated Community School District #202.