A Digital Collection of Rockford, Illinois History
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
Source: Rockford Register Star June 21, 2006
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.
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
Source: Rockford Register Star November 19, 1983
