Thanks to memories of Dick Hiatt #7811, Jim O'Connell #5046, Leo Briere #9714 and others, we were able to present to you details about the early years of the Illinois JCI Senate. It should be noted that these three gentlemen were involved in the formation of the US JCI Senate organization twenty-five years ago. Jim O'Connell was elected the First President of the US JCI Senate and Leo Briere is considered the Founder of the US JCI Senate. They were instrumental in providing much of the information used in preparing the History of the US JCI Senate. We are most fortunate to have these outstanding Senators still active in the Illinois JCI Senate.

Also contributing valuable information to our history were Chuck Fries, #18344, Charlie Gouveia #18294, Bill Willett #17398, Fred Fischer #21307 and Jim Mammen #37122. Their dedication and giving of their time to make this history available to Senators throughout the world is greatly appreciated.

Now in our 35th year, the Illinois JCI Senate was the fourth state organization formed and it remains the greatest and largest state organization in the US JCI Senate. This history has been divided into three periods:

The Early Years (1967 - 1977)

The Middle Years (1977 - 1987)

The Recent Years (1987 - 1999)

Enjoy your journey through the past activities and accomplishments of the Illinois JCI Senate.