(Photo By Flickr User Keith Allison)

Major League Baseball Star & Peoria, IL Native Jim Thome, will have his highway!

Dateline: Springfield, IL

According to pjstar.com, the Limestone High School graduate who sits at seventh on Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list, will officially be honored with a stretch of U.S. Route 24 from Griswold Street in Peoria to South Adams Street in Bartonville, IL named in his honor.

The measure, which had already passed the State Senate, moved speedily through the House chamber as lawmakers resumed debate on bills and resolutions Wednesday afternoon after a lengthy break while leaders tried to hammer out a budget compromise.

The Thome measure, non-controversial and with broad-based support,  was the first piece of legislation up for consideration.

Sponsoring Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, labeled the designation not just an honor for Thome, but also a way to encourage area kids to see his path to success and realize it’s obtainable through work and diligence.

Rep. Mike Unes, R-East Peoria, is a co-sponsor and agreed with Gordon-Booth’s assessment. He also said “it’s good recognition for someone who has proven over and over again just what a generous person he is, giving back to our community.”

The joint resolution passed the House unanimously, 108-0.