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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to thank Kate Francis for her work
4as President and Managing Director of the Orpheum Theatre in
5Galesburg; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Kate Francis earned her bachelor's degree in
7philosophy from Monmouth College in May of 1992; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Prior to her work at the Orpheum Theatre, Kate
9Francis was employed as Assistant to the Vice President for
10External Affairs at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
11(2001-2002), Campaign Manager at the St. Louis Symphony
12Orchestra (2002-2003), Director of Development at the Arizona
13Opera in Tucson, Arizona (2003-2006), and College Advancement
14Officer at Monmouth College (2006-2007); and
 
15    WHEREAS, Kate Francis has served as President and Managing
16Director of the Orpheum Theatre since April of 2007; in this
17capacity, she oversaw all venue, administrative, programming,
18contract, and box office operations for the historic 950-seat
19performing arts and civic facility; during her tenure, the
20theatre has reached unprecedented heights of growth and
21prosperity; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Kate Francis, the Orpheum
2Theatre posted positive, profitable operating budgets in
3fiscal years 2009 and 2010 and increased overall contributed
4income by 359% between 2007 and 2010; she was also instrumental
5in increasing the theatre's facility rental income by 200%
6between 2007 and 2010 and increased ticket revenue by 7%
7between 2007 and 2010; and
 
8    WHEREAS, During Kate Francis' tenure, the Grow Orpheum
9Theatre Lights! Camera! Learn! education/outreach program grew
10from a 2007 attendance of 1,211 to a 2010 attendance of 6,688,
11a 552% increase; she also helped initiate the theatre's
12ARTS4ALL program, which provides complimentary Red Carpet
13Series tickets to underserved, socio-economically challenged
14members of the community; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Kate Francis has been a member of numerous
16community organizations, including the Galesburg 175th
17Anniversary Planning Commission and the Illinois Main Street
18Annual Awards Conference's Local Planning Committee (2011),
19the Galesburg Christian School Publicity Committee
20(2010-present), the Illinois Arts Council's Presenting Program
21Advisory Panel (2009-present), the Galesburg Convention &
22Visitors Bureau, the Galesburg Noon Lion's Club
23(2008-present), the Kappa Kappa Gamma Stewart House Museum
24Advisory Committee (2008-present), the Downtown Galesburg

 

 

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1Revitalization Study Advisory Council (2009), the Galesburg
2Chamber of Commerce (2007-present), the Galesburg Regional
3Economic Development Association's Business Retention Task
4Force (2008-2009), and the Western Illinois Economic
5Development Partnership (2006-2007); and
 
6    WHEREAS, Kate Francis serves as a model of hard work,
7integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of
8Illinois; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we thank Kate Francis for her work as President and Managing
12Director of the Orpheum Theatre and wish her continued success
13and happiness in her future endeavors; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to Kate Francis as a symbol of our esteem and
16respect.