Community Corner
Dave Sanders, Heart Of The Center, To Honored With Honorary Street Designation
"Few people have touched as many lives as Dave Sanders. For decades, he has been the heart of The Center in Palos Park," the mayor said.
PALOS PARK, IL—State Sen. Bill Cunningham (18th District) championed a resolution to designate a portion of Southwest Highway in Palos Park as “Dave Sanders Way,” honoring David Sanders’ decades of service and leadership at The Center in Palos Park.
“For generations, The Center in Palos Park has been a place where people have come together to learn, grow, reflect and support one another,” Cunningham said, a Democrat who represents portions of Chicago and the Southwest Suburbs. “David Sanders dedicated his life to continuing that mission, and this designation is a fitting tribute to the impact he and his family have had on countless people throughout our communities.”
Senate Joint Resolution 60 would designate Southwest Highway between 12600 and 13100 as “Dave Sanders Way” in recognition of Sanders’ lasting impact on the Palos Park community and the greater Chicagoland region. Founded in 1932 by Reverend Paul T. Sanders and Elizabeth Sanders, The Center in Palos Park has served as a regional resource for more than 90 years.
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“Few people have touched as many lives as Dave Sanders. For decades, he has been the heart of The Center in Palos Park, helping families find connection, healing, opportunity, and hope,” Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters said in a statement on Facebook. “He didn't just serve this community—he helped shape it. That's why I asked Senator Bill Cunningham to designate a portion of Southwest Highway as 'Dave Sanders Way,' honoring a lifetime of compassion, leadership, and service, and recognizing the extraordinary legacy that Dave and the Sanders family have built for generations to come.”
Under Sanders’ leadership, The Center expanded programs and services focused on spiritual care, youth programming, agricultural education, the arts, counseling and recovery support.
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“David Sanders’ leadership helped make The Center a welcoming place for people of all ages and backgrounds,” Cunningham said. “His commitment to service and community has left a lasting mark on Palos Park and the entire region.”
SBJR 60 was adopted by the state senate last Saturday.
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