Rock Island, IL — A stretch of Interstate 74 through the Quad Cities now carries the name of one of western Illinois’ most respected public servants. State and local leaders gathered this week to dedicate the highway in memory of the late Congressman Lane Evans, whose legacy continues to inspire in communities like Mercer County and beyond.
The newly designated Rep. Lane Evans Memorial Highway runs from 4th Avenue to I-280 in Rock Island County, a fitting tribute to a man who served Illinois’ 17th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 2007.
“Lane Evans was committed to this community and to this country,” said State Senator Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island), who led the dedication alongside Representative Mike Johnson. “Both as a mentor and a friend, Lane showed me what public service is all about—speaking your mind and fighting for folks in your community.”
Evans, a Marine Corps veteran, was known for his tireless advocacy for veterans, labor rights, and working families across the region. He played a leading role in the passage of the Agent Orange Act of 1991, which recognized and addressed the effects of chemical exposure on Vietnam War veterans. His work also earned him the Silver Helmet Award from the American Veterans Group in 1995.
“Lane brought Rock Island values to the halls of Congress,” said Johnson. “He never forgot where he came from—and in turn, this community never forgot him.”
In addition to the new highway designation, Evans’ name also graces a Rock Island post office and a VA clinic in Galesburg—testament to his wide-ranging impact across western Illinois.
Region: Northern,News,Region: QC
via Western Illinois Today – WRMJ | 102.3 | ONLINE https://wrmj.com
July 23, 2025 at 09:22AM
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