For Bruce Hannon, a timely honor at courthouse

Apr. 18—URBANA — Fifteen years ago, Champaign County celebrated the completion of restorations to the courthouse's clock and bell tower.

Now, county officials are planning to memorialize a late community member who spearheaded a fundraising effort for the project.

The Champaign County Board will consider a resolution to rename the courthouse clock as the Bruce Hannon Memorial Clock at its 6:30 p.m. meeting today.

Today marks two months since the environmental activist and University of Illinois professor emeritus died after a sudden illness. Among his many interests was a love of fixing clocks, friends and family members said.

According to county officials, Mr. Hannon used his skill as a clocksmith to restore the historic courthouse clock in 1976 and get it up and running.

However, it eventually fell into disrepair again and was no longer working when a new courthouse addition was built in 2000.

"Bruce Hannon was instrumental in forming the Citizens Committee to Restore the Clock and Bell Tower at the Champaign County Courthouse in 2001 and became Chair of said Committee," county officials said. "... Under his leadership, the Clock and Bell Tower Committee raised $1.15 million of non-public funds by private donations to underwrite the re-construction of the historic tower at the Champaign County Courthouse and to restore the Clock therein."

County Executive Steve Summers said that, assuming the board votes in favor, the county would just be naming the clock after Hannon; Richmond Tower will keep its name.

A plaque will be placed at the site and a dedication ceremony will be held at a later date.

Steve Beckett, a local lawyer and former Champaign County Board member who was part of the clock tower committee, said Hannon had a gift for persuading people to get involved with different projects, including the clock tower restoration.

"When I'm there and it hits right on time, I say, 'Good job, Bruce,'" he said.