State Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) in 2014 presents Chicago author Stan “Tex” Banash with a copy of House Resolution 1124 which congratulates him on his most recent book, Roadside History of Illinois (Mountain Press). The book, the first in more than 30 years to discuss the history of the Prairie State, gives readers the opportunity to learn about the Illinois history by taking short trips along the roads less traveled, discovering the people, places and events where history happened. Banash, who lives in the Chicago’s Norwood Park community and holds degrees from Northwestern University and Roosevelt University, has written two other books—Best of Dee Brown’s West and Dee Brown’s Civil War Anthology. Pihos, a former elementary and middle school teacher, high school guidance counselor and school board member, recognizes the need for more Illinoisans to learn about their state’s history and is very supportive of Banash’s effort to raise public awareness of the state’s historic past. Since the book's release, Banash has devoted much of his time to speaking at libraries, historical societies, and community organizations.