Palatine Township wants to honor residents turning 100 years old

Any Palatine Township resident turning 100 years old is eligible for a public recognition of the milestone under a new initiative.

Township Clerk Lisa Moran came up with the idea of honoring centenarians through a formal program. The centenarian recognition is modeled after the Blue Star Banner program that honors active duty military township residents, which began in 2011 and also was spurred by Moran.

She acted after recently hearing from an acquaintance who was contacting local governments about having a letter sent to her mother in recognition of her 100th birthday.

"I thought, 'Hey, that's pretty special, 100. I think we should do something more than that (letter),'" Moran said. "So that's when I kind of started to look into developing a centenarian program."

Under the initiative, a centenarian recognition request form must be submitted at least 45 days before a resident's 100th birthday. The township also will take requests on behalf of residents already older than 100.

Along with a receiving certificate of recognition, the centenarians will be highlighted in a township newsletter and, if desired, can attend a township meeting at which a resolution will be passed in that person's honor. The ceremony will include a birthday cake and the honoree, accompanied by family and friends, having a photograph taken with the township board.

Moran said as much information as possible will be sought about an honoree's life and possible role in Palatine Township, so a detailed resolution can be drafted.

Supervisor Sharon Langlotz-Johnson expressed her support for the program before the Palatine Township board voted Monday night to host the first centenarian presentation Sept. 27.

"I don't expect there to be a lot of centenarians, but it's just kind of a nice way to honor our residents," Langlotz-Johnson said.

Moran said the family of a woman turning 100 hopes to surprise her with the township's centenarian honor.