SR1043 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1043 LRB103 40909 MST 73899 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Brendan Farrell of Oak Park, who passed away on October 21, 2022 at the age of 26; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell was born in Oak Park to Mary Alice (Gibbons) Farrell and Shaun T. Farrell on October 4, 1996; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell lived a very rich life in Oak Park, and, due to an autism diagnosis, he received an out of district placement at Giant Steps, a day school located in Lisle; during his academic journey, he was supported immeasurably by District 97 and District 200; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell spent his life in Oak Park enjoying summers at the pools and riding around town on his adult tricycle; he especially loved his Friday visits to the library, trips to the conservatory to see the fish, and rides to the main fire station; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell was sweet, gentle, happy, goofy, loving, and affectionate; though he was nonverbal, he developed brilliant and memorable ways of communicating with clarity and compassion; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell touched the lives of many people, and these friends contributed to the brightness and fullness of his life; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell attended Giant Steps from kindergarten until his graduation at age twenty-two, and he then enjoyed their adult day program, Canopy; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell had a strong bond and special friendship with his maternal grandmother, the late Beatrice Gibbons; and

WHEREAS, Brendan Farrell is survived by his mother, Mary; his father, Shaun; his brothers, Jack and Kevin; his stepmother, Annmarie Dore; his grandma, Pat Farrell; and his aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of whom had a special place in their hearts for him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Brendan Farrell and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Brendan Farrell as an expression of our deepest sympathy.