A stretch of central Illinois road may be re-named after one of baseball's greats. The Illinois House has adopted a resolution that would designate a section of Route 24 around Peoria as the "Jim Thome Highway." Thome hails from Peoria, and went on to a successful Major League career. The area's State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, a Democrat, says Thome was a prolific hitter. He was on the Chicago White Sox when he reached the sluggers' gold standard of hitting 500 home runs.
"Jim is well-known for his baseball prowess, but in our community he is better known for his philanthropic giving, his constant positive attitude and his gregarious personality."
Thome lived for a time in Hinsdale, and now he's in Burr Ridge.
