16-4 Resolution No. 16-4
RESOLUTION
REGARDING ELGIN IMAGE COMMISSION RECOGNITION AWARDS
WHEREAS, the City Council has previously approved a program by the Elgin Image
Commission where a formal recognition program would be established to honor individuals with a
connection to Elgin who have received regional or national prominence; and
WHEREAS, the Elgin Image Commission has recommended to the City Council that for
2015 Myron M.Lehman,Libby Goll and Dr.Edwin A.Kilbourne be given recognition awards;and
WHEREAS, Myron M. Lehman served as Elgin's mayor from 1931-1943 and 1951-1955.
During his first term, he was confronted with the reality that the city's obligations far exceeded its
income and was forced to make tough decisions. Previous administrations had made generous
contributions to special-assessment paving projects which dropped the property values and increased
tax delinquencies by the downtown businesses. Under Myron's leadership salaries were cut, fire
stations were closed and services were drastically reduced. It was a tough time for Elgin,but Myron
Lehman led the city through them; and
WHEREAS, Libby Goll founded the Resthaven Sanitarium in 1909 which was one of the
largest and longest operating private "rest home" in Elgin that provided post hospital treatment,
which would be hospice care. Resthaven survived until the 1970s and over the years,it has served as
a boarding house,alcoholism treatment center and a treatment center for adolescents under the name
Lovellton Academy. Libby Goll was devoted to the facility and touched the lives of thousands of
Elgin residents; and
WHEREAS,Dr.Edwin A.Kilbourne was the first and longest serving chief executive of the
Elgin Mental Health Center. He was a progressive thinker in regards to treatment and therapeutic
innovations;establishing the third pathology research lab in the nation. His tireless efforts,need for
perfection and quality care earned the hospital the distinction of being one of the finest institutions of
its kind in the late nineteenth century. Dr. Edwin A. Kilbourne wrote articles in the Associations'
American Journal of Insanity and attended annual Association of Medical Superintendents of
American Institutions for the Insane meetings, giving him a visibility and stature that was widely
recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that Myron M. Lehman, Libby Goll and Dr. Edwin A. Kilbourne be and are
hereby awarded formal recognition as having been prominent members of the Elgin Community.
s/David J. Kaptain
David J. Kaptain, Mayor
Presented: January 13, 2016
Adopted: January 13, 2016
Omnibus Vote: Yeas: 9 Nays: 0
Attest:
s/Kimberly Dewis
Kimberly Dewis, City Clerk
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