Peoria native and former Major League Baseball star Jim Thome

Illinois lawmakers were able to unanimously agree on something July 21 when they voted to name a stretch of a federal highway after former White Sox star and Peoria native Jim Thome.

The House voted 96-0 to pass a resolution to rename part of U.S. Route 24 between South Adams Street in Bartonville and Griswold Street in Peoria as the Jim Thome Highway, according to reports.

The resolution was sponsored by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria.

The measure now goes to the Senate. A similar proposal unanimously passed a week ago in the Senate where it was sponsored by Sens. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, and Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap.

Thome grew up on the South Side of Peoria and graduated from Limestone High School in Bartonville. He then attended Illinois Central College when he was drafted in 1989 by the Cleveland Indians.

Thome made his Major League debut on Sept. 4, 1991, with the Cleveland Indians. He was 21-years-old.  He played four seasons with the White Sox, 2006-09.

Over 22 seasons, also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles

Thome went on to hit 612 career home runs, and ranking seventh on the all-time list.

— State highway named in honor of former White Sox star Thome —