HR0959LRB101 23445 MST 74735 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of James 
4Michael "Mike" Mills of Murphysboro, who passed away on 
5December 29, 2020; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Mike Mills was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to 
7Faye and Leon Mills on July 15, 1941; he graduated from 
8Murphysboro Township High School, where he was a member of the 
91958 Hall of Fame football team; he graduated from the first 
10class of Dental Technology at Southern Illinois University; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Mike Mills founded the Murphysboro Dental Lab in 
121963; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Mike Mills opened 17th Street Barbecue in 1985; he 
14was later called the "most-revered barbecue restaurateur in 
15America"; he was the barbecue guru at, and a partner in, the 
16Blue Smoke restaurant in New York City and a founding partner 
17in Memphis Championship Barbecue in Las Vegas; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Mike Mills earned the moniker "The Legend" in the 
19early 1990s, when he was co-captain of the Apple City Barbecue 
20team, one of the most celebrated teams ever on the circuit; he 
21is known throughout the State of Illinois, the United States, 
 
 
HR0959- 2 -LRB101 23445 MST 74735 r

1and the world for his legendary barbecue pit master skills; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Mike Mills is the co-author of two books, Peace, 
3Love, and Barbecue and Praise the Lard: Recipes and Revelations 
4from a Legendary Life in Barbecue; he was inducted into the 
5Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2010; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Mike Mills was an active member in numerous 
7community organizations, including the Elks, Masons, and 
8Shriners; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Mike Mills was named a Distinguished Alumni in 
102014 by Murphysboro Township High School; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Mike Mills was a beloved figure in Southern 
12Illinois, employing hard-working Illinoisans at his 
13restaurants and giving to charity and to his community; his 
14years of dedicated work helped earn his hometown, Murphysboro, 
15the distinction of being named the BBQ Capital of
Illinois in 
162015 by the Illinois General Assembly; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Mike Mills was preceded in death by his siblings, 
18Robert Mills and Jeanette Hudgins; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, Mike is survived by his children, Amy Jane Mills 
20and Christopher Mills; his grandchildren, Guy W. (Woody) 
 
 
HR0959- 3 -LRB101 23445 MST 74735 r

1Tunnicliffe III and Faye Landess Tunnicliffe; his siblings, 
2Landess Mills and Mary Pat Mills; his brother-in-law, John 
3Hudgins; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
  
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
5HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
6we mourn the death and celebrate the life, the contributions, 
7the achievements, and the positive impact that James Michael 
8"Mike" Mills had on the communities of Murphysboro and Marion; 
9and be it further
  
 
10    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
11presented to the family of Mike Mills and to 17th Street BBQ 
12Restaurants in Marion and in Murphysboro as symbols of our 
13deepest sympathy.