Elgin holds dedication for Gilliam wall

The family of the late Elgin councilman Bob Gilliam attended a ceremony Wednesday formally dedicating a wall in his honor at city hall.

The wall display, installed in November, features photos, plaques, personal items, campaign memorabilia and more. Gilliam, who served for 40 years in Elgin, died in December 2014; city hall also was renamed the Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex last year.

"I read in a book one time that you live your life forward, but you understand it backward. When I look at his life up here, he really did a lot," said his widow, Marianne Gilliam, while fighting back tears. "Sometimes when you're in the middle of your life you don't understand everything you're doing, and he really did a lot."

The wall is beautiful, said Bob Gilliam's sister, Valerie.

"It's a tribute to him and the work he did for the city," she said. "It's a way to make sure he's never forgotten."