CHRISTOPHER – State Sen. Terri Bryant says it was a very humbling experience to take House Joint Resolution 36 through the State Senate in order to get a section of Illinois 148 in Christopher renamed the Firefighter Kody M. Vanfossen Memorial Highway.

Bryant, who was on hand with other state and local leaders and first responders at Tuesday’s naming ceremony on Illinois 148 south of Christopher, says naming the highway after Vanfossen took a long time and should not have taken as long as it did.

Bryant says Tuesday’s event was about celebrating Vanfossen’s life, which was cut too short.

Vanfossen’s father, Brent Vanfossen – who also serves on the Christopher Fire Department – agreed that naming the road after his late son took a long time.

Vanfossen says he appreciates State Rep. Dave Severin and State Sen. Terri Bryant getting House Joint Resolution 36 through the State House and Senate and for Gov. JB Pritzker signing it.

State Rep. Dave Severin says the state has done the right thing by renaming the highway after Kody Vanfossen.

Vanfossen lost his life in the line of duty during a multi-alarm commercial building fire on West Market Street in Christopher on Sunday, May 5, 2019.