SR1361 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1361 LRB102 29994 ECR 42181 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dennis Ray Whetstone of Carmi, who passed away on November 24, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone was born to Carl Ray Whetstone and Frances (Whitsitt) Whetstone in Carmi on December 27, 1953; he graduated from the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone's career mostly centered around the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) in both streamlining and managing its programs at federal, state, and local levels; he oversaw federally funded programs created to develop and retain workforce opportunities in Illinois, including business financing, local government assistance, and job training; in the early 1980s, he played an integral part of the state delegation that traveled to Japan and negotiated with the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to build the Diamond Star Motors auto plant in Normal; he was also instrumental in convincing Motorola, Caterpillar, and other companies to remain in Illinois under DCCA's job retention efforts; he was appointed as executive deputy director in the late 1980s, where he dedicated himself to improving economic development efforts throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone left DCCA to serve under then-Governor Jim Edgar in 1994, where he developed and implemented workforce preparation and job training programs; he returned to DCCA as director the following year before becoming president and CEO of The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone served on many task forces, boards, and commissions during his tenure in state government; he also co-taught one semester at Harvard University; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone was an avid golfer who possessed exceptional taste in wardrobe, movies, films, and music, and he was able to recall minute details of them all as well as people he had met; he was also a genius at trivia and crossword puzzles; he will be remembered for his genuinely kind and gentle nature; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone was preceded in death by his father; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Whetstone is survived by his mother; and his son, Cooper Whetstone; his daughter, Callie Whetstone; his brothers, Dale Whetstone and Kerry "K.C." (Christine) Whetstone; and his nieces and nephews, Blair Whetstone, Emily Whetstone, Colt Whetstone, Spencer (Matthew) Taylor, and Stetson (Katy) Whetstone; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dennis Ray Whetstone 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 Dennis Whetstone as an expression of our deepest sympathy.