E. J. “Zeke” Giorgi Center, 200 S. Wyman Street, built by Sjostrom & Sons, Fall 1987-1989

The original name of the State of Illinois Office Building, when it was dedicated by Governor Jim Thompson Dec. 3, 1989. Renamed the E. J. “Zeke” Giorgi Center and dedicated by Governor Jim Edgar Jan. 6, 1994. Zeke Giorgi had begun lobbying for a state building in Rockford back in 1975.

Photographed by Jean Lythgoe, November 16, 2021

“Welcome, Sen. Jones, you found Rockford” by Pat Cunningham, 2006

Source: Rockford Register Star June 21, 2006

Rockford Magazine – January 1995

Source: Rockford Magazine, January 1995.   Cover, shown above, Pete McMurray and Linda Lampert, WXRX-FM

People to Watch 1995 include: Mayor Charles Box, alderwoman Carol Jambor-Smith, Jayne Byrne, Jesse Dabson, Pecatonica village President Ed Smith. Ron Wait, Barb Giolitto, John B. ANderson, Congressman Don Manzullo, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Dr. John LaTourette, Lynn Martin, George Bush, Paul Simon, Ann Hughes, Marty Flagg, Rory Peterson, Percy Gordon, Doug Scott, E.J. “Zeke” Giorgi, Eugene Eubanks, Dr. Ed Sharp, Geri Nikolai, Stephen J. Wesley, Harvard mayor Bill LaFew, Register Star managing editor C.W. Johnson, Jim Herman, Mike Townsend, Linda Grist Cunningham, Frank Schier, Gary Wilmer, Mary Collins, Larry Manne, Jack White, Jimmy Johnson, J. R. Sullivan, William Gregg, Richard Raether, Stella Maggio-Dobbins, Tom Maloney, Frank Fiorello, John Gile, Brian Reck, Mark Gillette, Mike Holmes, Conrad “Connie” Kowall, more. Some pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giorgi, E. J. “Zeke”; Alderman

Representative 68th District State of Illinois 112 So. 2nd St.

Source: 1987 Rockford City Directory

Mayoral Candidate 1969. Known as the Father of the Illinois State Lottery, elected to Illinois House. Born 1921, Rockford. Graduated from Washington and Lee University , U.S. Army Intelligence, WWII, re-elected to Illinois House 14 times. Died 10/24/1993, age 72

Source: Rockford Big Town Little City, p 102 977.331 C973r

E. J. “Zeke” Giorgi –

Zeke - 1Source:  Rockford Register Star November 19, 1983

Zeke - 2