ST. ANNE, Ill. – Illinois Route 1, spanning from Wichert Road to St. Anne, is set to receive a special designation in honor of basketball legend Jack Sikma.
The Illinois General Assembly has proposed to designate this portion of the roadway as the “Honorary Jack Sikma Road” as a tribute to Sikma’s remarkable career and contributions to the sport of basketball.
Sikma, a native of Saint Anne, Illinois, is a former seven-time NBA All-Star and was recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2019. He is also an alumnus of Illinois Wesleyan University, where he holds the school’s all-time records for points and rebounds.
Throughout his career, Sikma was known for his exceptional skills as a center, including his ability to pass, shoot, and stretch the floor with his outside shooting. He was the only center in NBA history to lead the league in free throw percentage. Sikma’s talent and hard work earned him a place in basketball history, and his achievements have been recognized by both Illinois Wesleyan and the Seattle SuperSonics, now Oklahoma City Thunder, who have retired his #43 jersey.
Rep. Jackie Haas, along with Rep. Randy E. Frese and Rep. Sharon Chung, sponsored House Joint Resolution HJR0014 in the Illinois General Assembly to designate the “Honorary Jack Sikma Road.” The resolution was adopted with overwhelming support in the House, and it has been referred to the Senate Assignments Committee for further consideration and sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce.
The proposed designation of the “Honorary Jack Sikma Road” is a fitting tribute to Sikma’s illustrious basketball career and his lasting impact on the sport. As a beloved figure in his hometown of Saint Anne, Illinois, Sikma’s legacy will be forever honored with this special recognition on Illinois Route 1.
