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ZIP Code (604) 28

Markham Getting Back Old ZIP: Rep. Jackson, Mayor Webb

Thirty years after being forced to give up its old ZIP Code, Markham will reclaim 60428 for its own, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. and Markham Mayor David Webb said today.

"It’s one small number. It took 30 years to return. But today 60428 is back, and the residents of Markham once again have their own identity," said Congressman Jackson, who’s worked with Markham and U.S. Postal Service officials for seven years to retrieve the old number.

Two years ago Jackson "assured" Markham residents he would deliver the new/old ZIP. Then he had to figure out how. "I never tried it before," he said, "but I added language in the 2003 Postal Appropriations bill directing the Post Office to restore Markham’s ZIP Code. It worked."

"It’s a miracle," declared Markham Mayor David Webb, who adopted the cause from his predecessor, Evans Miller. "We’ve worked long and hard for this day, and it means a lot to the residents -- who want to be identified with Markham."

"We’ve shared a ZIP with three communities. Nothing against them, but it created problems for us," Webb said. "The last census showed Markham lost population, when in fact we gained population. We’ve had problems collecting tax revenues from utility companies who sent our share of local taxes to Harvey. And our residents have paid higher premiums for homeowners and auto insurance. This will keep everyone from being sidetracked around Markham."

The new number takes effect July 1^{st, 2004, Jackson said. The Postal Service will continue to operate a small station in Markham’s Canterbury Shopping Center, and Markham’s carriers will still be routed through the Harvey Post Office, postal officials said.}

"Operationally, nothing is changing," Jackson said. "Markham simply has its old ZIP back."

In 1974, the Postal Service bundled Markham into the 60426 ZIP with neighboring Harvey, Dixmoor and Phoenix after claiming it needed additional numbers to accommodate faster growing communities in the south suburbs. To date, however, 60428 was never reassigned.

With more than 4,500 delivery addresses, Markham will be an average size ZIP Code.

Jackson and Webb thanked Postmaster James Holmes and Operations Manager Ronald Crozier of the Central Illinois District Post Office; Harvey Postmaster Gregory Gillespie; and the many residents of Markham who cooperated and pushed for the change.

"It was said for so long that this would never happen, I started to believe it myself. I truly wish to thank the Postal Service for its efforts and the residents of Markham for their perseverance," Jackson said.