SPRINGFIELD – On Wednesday, a resolution to honor longtime Momence Fire Protection District Chief James “Jim” LaMotte was adopted in the Illinois House of Representatives. This resolution was introduced by House Assistant Minority Leader Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee), who is also his daughter. Chief LaMotte served as Momence Fire Chief for 21 years and passed away on February 1st, 2022.
“It is an absolute honor to recognize my father’s legacy of community service in the Illinois House today and amplify the Momence Fire Protection District firehouse being named in his honor,” said Leader Haas. “My dad served the place he called home all while working full time in the agriculture business and raising a family. This service built the foundation for my sisters and me to live fulfilling lives and give back more than we receive. The James LaMotte Firehouse in Momence will continue this legacy for generations of firefighters in the Momence community.”
The Momence Fire Protection District will name its firehouse in honor of Chief LaMotte for his lifetime of service and the profound impact he had on his community. Jim LaMotte was born on October 23rd, 1940 in Kankakee and married Marlene D. Grimes in 1962. In addition to serving as Momence Fire Chief, Jim also served as the Vice President of the Kankakee County Board, and he served as a sitting member and president of the board of trustees for the MFPD, as well as a sitting officer and treasurer of the Illinois Firefighter Memorial Foundation and the State Firefighter Medal of Honor Committee. He also participated in many service organizations throughout his life.
Recognitions Jim LaMotte received in his life include the 1999 Momence Citizen of the Year, the Momence Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, and October 2021 being named “Jim LaMotte Month” by the Kankakee County Board.