Will County Gazette

Veteran state Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) is backing a proposal that would lead to a length of Route 59 being renamed after Private First Class Andrew Meari.

“He protected some of his squad members in Afghanistan and he lost his life,” Batinick recently reminded lawmakers in a passionate plea in favor of the move. “The story is quite amazing, but what’s amazing to me is he grew up in the same subdivision as I live with my children and they played in the same park. Just a wonderful man who gave his life for the country and I think we realize how special that is after this last year.”

Nearby Mayfair Park has already been renamed in Meari’s honor. Meari an Army PFC, was killed in Afghanistan in November 2010. Plainfield Park Commissioners made the call in enacting  a flag pole and plaque at Mayfair, the park Meari grew up in as a child.

Batinick’s bill has now been referred to the House Rules Committee. 

Now in his sixth year of serving in the 97th District, which includes portions of Oswego, Montgomery, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Joliet and Shorewood, Batinick sits on the House’s Personnel & Pensions, Health Care Licenses, International Trade & Commerce and Insurance committees.

Batinick who serves as House GOP Floor Leader, is widely known in Springfield for his positions on the need for property tax relief, more affordable education, workers' compensation reform laws and pension reform.

“Good policy is good politics, and we need to get back to that focus,” he said at the time he was installed in the position in a post to his website. “When we produce good legislation to support policies, it’s in the best interests of our state and our residents. As Floor Leader I hope to help make this happen.”

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