Rockford Sun

State Sen. Brian Stewart (R-Freeport) and state Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) joined family members of the late Sen. John B. "Jack" Roe, III to celebrate the dedication of an overpass in his memory.

Sen. Stewart marked the occasion by sharing it with his followers in a Sept. 27 Facebook post.

"Honored today along with Representative Tom Demmer to present to the Roe Family, HJR 57 Illinois House and Senate Joint Resolution honoring the life and legacy of my friend and colleague, the late Senator John B. "Jack" Roe," Stewart wrote in the post. "Senator Roe served the Citizens of Illinois in many different capacities from Ogle County Public Defender, Ogle County States Attorney, State Senator, Ogle County Circuit Judge and Chief Justice of the Illinois Court of Claims. The Resolution designated in his honor the Memorial Overpass on Illinois State Route 251 in Rochelle as it was his leadership, statesmanship and perseverance that secured funds to get it built."

Roe passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, at the age of 78. He had a form of cancer known as myelofibrosis. According to an obituary published in My Caroll County News, he served two terms in the state senate from 1973-1979.

According to the Facebook event, the dedication ceremony was held at the Flagg Township Public Library in Rochelle. 

Roe helped secure funding for a freeway from Rockford to the west tollway extension of Rochelle, and was instrumental in securing the funding to build the overpass in an effort to fix traffic issues, WIFR reported.