SPRINGFIELD — A bill officially naming a 1,100-acre state recreation area for the late state Sen. Harry "Babe" Woodyard was signed into law Friday by Gov. Pat Quinn.

The park has been known as the Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area for years, but through an oversight it was never formally or statutorily named for the lawmaker, who died in January 1997.

The bill (SB 154) was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, and in the House by Rep. Chad Hays, R-Catlin. It had passed the Senate 50-0 and cleared the House, 108-0.

An identical bill sponsored by Hays (HB 153) got through the House but never cleared the Senate. HB 153 was the first bill sponsored by the freshman legislator to get out of a committee, a process that led to good-natured ribbing from his House colleagues.

Hays said Friday that he was proud to honor Woodyard, a lawmaker he worked with when he was mayor of Catlin.

"He was a terrific public servant who knew how to keep in touch with everyone," Hays said.

He said he talked with Woodyard's widow, Mary, soon after the bill moved through the House committee this spring.

"She was very pleased to see that this was under way, and looking forward to getting all the i's dotted and t's crossed," he said. "I think it really meant a lot to her."