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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Gerald W. "Jerry" Brady Jr. of Edwards,
4who passed away on June 13, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Jerry Brady was born in Galesburg to Gerald W. Sr.
6and Mary (McGuire) Brady on March 27, 1949; he graduated from
7the Spalding Institute in 1967; he attended Bradley University,
8where he directed the boys' program at the Guardian Angel Home
9for Catholic Social Services, and graduated in 1967; he married
10Sue Olson at St. Thomas Church in Peoria Heights on August 7,
111976; he earned his law degree from St. Louis University in
121981; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Jerry Brady began his career at the Peoria Park
14District, where he managed sports programs and facilities; he
15also served a six-year enlistment in the United States Army
16Reserve as a member of the artillery unit; after passing the
17bar exam, he worked as an Assistant States's Attorney from 1982
18until 1985; he then started what would become a successful
19private law practice, where he worked for 26 years; he was
20appointed Peoria County State's Attorney in 2011; and
 
21    WHEREAS, While serving as Peoria County State's Attorney,
22Jerry Brady partnered with the ELITE program, initiated the

 

 

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1Most Violent Offender Project, met frequently with
2neighborhood groups, and promoted community awareness of the
3opioid crisis; he also partnered with the City of Peoria Mayor,
4the Peoria County Sheriff, the Chief of the Peoria Police, and
5the United States Attorneys' Office to develop Peoria's Don't
6Shoot program; he was honored to serve the citizens of Peoria
7County; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Jerry Brady was an active parishioner of St.
9Mary's Catholic Church of Kickapoo, where he served on the
10Finance Council and with the Men's Club and coached the St.
11Mary's boys basketball team; he was the assistant director and
12coach of Paul Reatherford's Youth Basketball program and
13continued the 30-year tradition of organizing a Christmas
14basket drive for those in need; under his leadership, the
15program delivered food and toys to approximately 250 families
16throughout the City of Peoria every Christmas season; he was a
17member of the Bartonville American Legion and an annual sponsor
18of the Bartonville Ducks Unlimited; he was actively involved
19with the Peoria County Democrats and enjoyed walking in the
20parades every summer; he was instrumental in many fundraising
21events, including raising money for the recently-completed
22Veterans' Memorial located on the grounds of the Peoria County
23Courthouse; he received the Distinguished Alumni of the Year
24Award from Peoria Notre Dame High School in 2016; in 2019, he
25received the Distinguished Community Service Award from the

 

 

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1Peoria County Bar Association; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Jerry Brady enjoyed waterfowl and pheasant
3hunting with his close friends and two sons; he was a selfless
4humanitarian, public servant, and role model to many; he will
5be remembered for his honesty, integrity, loyalty, and devotion
6to his job; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Jerry Brady was preceded in death by his parents;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Jerry Brady is survived by his wife, Sue; his
10daughter, Meaghan (Brian) Livingston; his sons, Ryan
11(Stephanie) Brady and Christopher (Crystal) Brady; his
12grandson, Liam Michael Brady; his brother, John T. (Mary Ellen)
13Brady; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
16Gerald W. "Jerry" Brady Jr. and extend our sincere condolences
17to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
18it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to the family of Jerry Brady as an expression of our
21esteem and respect.