SR0689 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0689 LRB103 36233 ECR 66328 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. John F. "Jack" Gilligan of Groveland, who passed away on December 15, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan was born to John and Eve Gilligan in Gloucester, Massachusetts on August 2, 1938; he earned degrees and certifications from Stonehill College, the University of Anger, France, Fairfield University, the University of Idaho, and the University of Illinois School of Medicine, Chicago; he completed advanced studies at the University of Paris, the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, the University of Maine, and the University of Wisconsin; he married Diana Jean on December 15, 1978; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan was a licensed clinical psychologist who maintained a private clinical practice; he also worked as an assistant professor and associate director at the University of Idaho; he later became the chief clinical psychologist and director of Clinical Services at the Tazwood Center for Human Services in Pekin, Illinois; he became executive director of the Human Service Center in Peoria in 1979, serving in this role until 1987; he then worked as the president and chief executive officer of Fayette Companies and its seven subsidiaries until his retirement in 2004; he returned to this role for a brief period in 2013, retiring in 2014; he was dedicated to serving those in central Illinois afflicted with mental health illness and drug and alcohol addiction; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan developed a combination of non-for-profit and for-profit enterprises and was chairman of many local boards; he was a founding member and past vice-chairman of the Leadership Development Center, where he provided managerial training and consultation to managers representing more than 200 of the Fortune 500 corporations; he was a board member and vice president of the Drug Prevention Network of the Americas; he was appointed by two governors to the Illinois State Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependency, and he served as chairman of its Prevention Committee; through Fayette Companies, he created the John F. Gilligan Community-Based Psychiatry Fund in order to fulfill his dream of utilizing funds his company generated to improve the lives of those in central Illinois through the creation of a national model to dramatically change behavioral health care; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan published numerous professional research articles and presentations; he was the author of The Soul of America: Essays on the Fourth of July and The American Revolution 1607-1801: A Cultural History for Teachers, Parents, and Children; he co-authored The Library of Congress: An Embodiment of the American Identity with Congressman Ray LaHood and The Adversity Challenge with Charles Stoner; more than 200 of his editorials, essays, and comments appeared in the Peoria Journal Star, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times, and the Wall Street Journal; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan received countless awards, recognitions, and proclamations throughout his life; he was recognized locally, nationally, and globally; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan enjoyed reading, writing, running, spending time with family, speaking Italian with his grandson, and traveling; he was a true renaissance man, a seeker of knowledge and truth, a man of conviction and virtue, a community builder, and a lifelong learner; he made even the most mundane activities fun and created deep connections with those around him; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gilligan is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Steve) Martin; his grandchildren, Michael Baugh, Connor James Martin, and Megan Martin; his aunt, Kate (Ted) Langs; and his nephews, Michael (Kim) Langs and Ted (Lois) Langs; 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 Dr. John F. "Jack" Gilligan 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 Dr. Gilligan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.