ORDINANCE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO;
SECTION 1. Pursuant to an ordinance heretofore passed by the City Council which allows for the erection of honorary street-name signs, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation shall take all necessary action for standardization of 5700 block of South Nordica Avenue as "CFD BATT CHF TERRENCE COLLINS WAY."
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon Its passage and publication.
SILVANA TABARES Alderman, 23rd Ward
Office of Budget and Management 121 N. LaSalle, Room 604 Chicago, IL 60602
To Whom it May Concern:
[, Silvana HabflCPfi, Alderman of the _____ Ward, hereby authorize the Office of Budget Management to withdraw the funds associated with the cost of installation for this honorary street designation fof Cf-.Q ~^C\£\TT~ C/4F \from my:
□ Ward's annual menu program budget \A/©>f
Ward's aldermanic expanse allowance
upon passage ofthis honorary street designation ordinance, pursuant to Section 2-8-040 of the Chicago Municipal Code.
Sincerely,
Alderman, Ward 23
Honorary Street Name Designation
Nominator's Name: Deacon Robert Montelongo Phone Number: 773-742-1431
Nominee's Name: Ret. Batt, Chief Terrence Collins CPD
Block to be designated: 5700 S. Nordica
Location on block where sign would be posted: 5701 S. Nordica
Does the selection of street already honor someone: No
Reasons for nominating this individual:
Retired Battalion Chief Terrence Collins CFD was a lifelong Chicagoan who valued his family, friends, and the great City of Chicago. The City of Chicago is called the citv of "Big Shoulders" because of its citizens who are selfless and willing to work and serve others making Chicago a necessity for our nation. Ret. Batt. Chief Terrence Collins exemplifies this selfless service. On his Big Shoulders he served our City as a Fireman and was awarded the Lambert Tree award for saving the lives of two infants. It will remain unclear as to how many lives he saved during his 37-year career as a Chicago Fireman. He served our Nation in the United States Navy honorably serving as an Airplane Mechanic. This son ofour Citv even had his hand in the construction of the John Hancock building as a metal worker. When Terrence Collins worked, he was working to serve others. Everything mentioned so far is worthy of honoring with an honorary sign, but I believe what is so exemplary is what was in his heart. His love of neighbor. Ret. Batt Chief Terrence Collins did not stop serving our Citv and its people upon retirement. No. he continued serving the people of the Garfield Ridge neighborhood where he resided in any way he could. It was not a rare sight to see this retiree on a ladder cleaning out a neighbor's gutters or jumping in and helping a neighbor pulling weeds. He cared for everyone as if they were his family and our Garfield Ridge neighborhood and many ofour neighbors would whole heartedly say that he made a difference in their lives. Ret. Batt. Chief Terence Collins lost his life due to complications of a hip replacement surgery. Had his surgery been successful I am sure with no doubt that he would have been back out there looking for an opportunity to brighten someone's day. Our community loves our first responders and we are saddened with the negativity they now face and so we are honored to nominate Terrence Collins a first responder for his lifelong commitment to serving others as an example ofthe wonderful people our first responders truly are.
Please write/attach a biography of the individual that includes the individual's significant contributions to the City, State, Nation, or World:
Terrence "Terry" Collins was a lifelong Chicagoan who valued his City and family. Terry was a man who did not hesitate to lend a helping hand to his family, neighbors, and City. Terry grew up in Chicago's Canaryville neighborhood located in Chicago's Southside. Terry attended St. Gabriel's elementary school and attended Tilden High School. Terry then joined the Navy and
honorably served his country in the Navy's Naval Air Division, as an airplane mechanic. Terry was proud to have served his country as a member of the United States Armed Forces, After serving his country. Terry joined the Chicago Fire Department (CFDY Terry would serve thirty-seven year as a member ofthe CFD. rising through the ranks and eventually retiring as a Battalion Chief.
Terry was a lifelong resident of Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood. A place he was proud to call home. Terry and his wife, Esther, resided in Garfield Ridge for nearly forty-seven years where they raised their two sons Terrence Terry" and Brian. Terry was involved in the community by being a coach for his sons' school's sports teams, and a member of St. Daniel the Prophet (SDP) Parish and St. Joseph's Parish in Summit. IL. Terry would always volunteer to help with the parishes' carnivals whether it is helping with the set-up or donating items for the raffles. Terry and Esther were proud to send their children to SDP and St. Ignatius College Prep. Terry and Esther were so happy to see their son's graduate college, start their own families and become grandparents.
Terry would often share stories of his career as a firefighter with his family and friends and riow his job allowed him to help others in need. Terry's stories of helping others in need had such a profound impact on his family that his son Terry embarked on a career of public service as a first responder.
After Terry retired from the CFD, he continued to help others. Terry would never hesitate to help a neighbor with a project, or lend a tool to a neighbor, or state a friendly conversation with a neighbor. Terry would often take daily walks through the neighborhood with his beloved Chocolate Lab. Riley. During these walks. Terry would befriend other walkers and neighbors during his walks. Terry would always stop to talk to neighbors and check-in those friends and neighbors that he had not seen in a while to make sure they were okay. Terry wouldn't just wave to his neighbors, he would say hello and get to know his neighbors. Terry was a vibrant member ofthe Garfield Ridge community.
During his service with the CFD, Terry received the Citv of Chicago's highest award of bravery - The Lambert Tree Medal for his heroic action on June 1.1981.
Lambert Tree Medal - Narrative for CFD Lt. Terrence Collins' Actions on June 1, 1981:
Shortly after three o'clock on the First of June 1981, Chicago Fire Engine Company 101 received an alarm offire at 2414 W61st ST. In charge of the unit that day was Lt. Terrence
Collins, when Collins and his men arrived'at ihe scene they were informed by an onlooker that there was a woman trapped on the second floor and that two small children were trapped in the first floor bedroom. Immediately ordering his men who were equipped with air masks to rescue the -woman from the second floor, and the rest of the engine company to lead out wilh a quick water operation, he then without regard for his own safety proceeded into the first floor apartment. By this time the fire had gained ground, heavy smoke and heat dove Collins to his knees, as he crawled on the floor, he heard a man yelling there was a baby in the crib. At this point he was in the rear bedroom where he searched and found a crib, he again heard the man say, "There is a baby in the crib!" With that Collins searched the crib and found a two year old baby boy. He went to the window and handed the baby to the man who had been yelling. Again, the man screamed "No there is another baby in the eribl"
He went back and searched the crib where he had found the first baby, but it was empty. At this point, it is important to note that Lt. Collins was becoming disorientated because of the heat and smoke, as he turned to gel a gasp of air, he found another crib, he searched the second crib finding a one year old baby girl. Again, for the second time in a few minutes, he took another baby from the crib and took the baby to the window and handed the baby to an unidentified man outside. At that point, dizzy from the experience, he was able to stumble out the rear window, stumble his way down the gangway to the alley and collapse. The paramedics of Ambulance 14 immediately began medical procedures on LT. Collins, starting an ivy solution and giving him oxygen.
LT. Collins and the two babies were then taken to Holy Cross Hospital for smoke inhalation. Because LT. Collins acted above and beyond the call of duty - two small children are alive today from this very hazardous rescue under extremely adverse conditions. LT. Terrence Collins of Engine 101 has been awarded the City's highest award - The Lambert Tree Medal.