SR1073 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1073 LRB101 20993 LAW 71087 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Vicki L. Haugen of Danville, who passed away on February 11, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen was born to Cleta and Melvin Taylor on July 27, 1957; she graduated from Danville High School; she graduated from the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Business Administration; she took wedding vows with Wayne Haugen in Maui, Hawaii in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen joined the Economic Development Corporation in Danville at its inception in 1982; she initially served as the Vice President of Marketing and then as the President and CEO until 2002; she was a faculty member for the Illinois Basic Economic Development program since 1995; she became the founding President and CEO of Vermilion Advantage in 2002; she was recognized as the heart of that organization, serving with distinction until 2020; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen was responsible for the implementation and oversight of economic development activities, business services, and workforce development for Vermilion County; as a direct result of her work, thousands of local jobs were created and retained, ensuring Vermilion County's viability; her tireless efforts resulted in new business locations and/or extensive local expansions, including Alcoa, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Thyssenkrupp (formerly Krupp Gerlach), McLane Midwest, AutoZone Distribution, StraPack, Freight Car Services, Sygma, Hoopeston Foods, REG, Watchfire Signs, Automation International, and Fiberteq; she was the driving force in the development of both the Eastgate and Southgate Industrial Parks; her leadership was critical to the success of an 18-month retail expansion for Danville in 2013 that created over 500,000 square feet of new retail space and significantly repurposed existing spaces; most recently, she led a successful coalition which resulted in securing a long-pursued casino and a $70 million Carle Hospital investment in Danville's west downtown area; her pioneering workforce development initiatives resulted in new education and training programs, scholarships, apprenticeships, and internships, which impacted thousands of local residents, and her blue print "Best Practices" was named one of the seven best in the nation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen received a number of regional and national awards during her career, such as the Business & Professional Women's Club Woman of the Year Award, the United Way of Danville Area Women United Leadership Award, and being named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen was involved in a number of organizations, including the Danville Rotary, the Executive Club, and the United Way as a campaign chair; she was selected by then Illinois Governor Jim Edgar to serve as a member of the Economic Development Board in 1993 and 1997; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen was deeply committed to giving back to the community she loved; she will forever be remembered for her mentorship, positive can-do determination, compassion, sound judgment, and indomitable spirit; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen was preceded in death by her parents; and

WHEREAS, Vicki Haugen is survived by her husband, Wayne Haugen; her stepdaughter, Diana Stewart-Jewsbury; Diana's twin daughters, Claire and Nora; and Diana's husband, Eric Jewsbury; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Vicki L. Haugen and extend our sincere condolences to her husband, family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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