SR0628 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0628 LRB097 20643 GRL 66526 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi represented the citizens of the State of Illinois and the families of the 43rd Legislative District from January of 2005 until February of 2012; and

WHEREAS, Arthur "A.J." Wilhelmi, the son of Arthur and Mary Beth Wilhelmi, was born and raised in Joliet; he attended St. Paul the Apostle Elementary School and Joliet Catholic Academy; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi attended Loyola University of Chicago, graduating cum laude in 1990 with a degree in English and minors in philosophy and political science; he subsequently enrolled in the Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating in June of 1993 and passing the State Bar Examination in October of that year; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi began his private career when he joined the McKeown Law Firm, where he specialized in real estate and business law; in April of 2008, he joined Murer Consultants as a senior consultant; he later became a partner in the newly created law firm of Murer, Brick, & Wilhelmi, LLC; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi's Illinois Senate career has been characterized by a sincere and fervent dedication to service of his community, his State, and the people of his district; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi was first appointed to the Illinois Senate from the 43rd Legislative District in January of 2005; he was elected to the position in 2006 and reelected in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi's time in the Illinois Senate has been marked by his strong and effective advocacy for Will County and the communities of the 43rd District, including Bolingbrook, Channahon, Crest Hill, Elwood, Fairmont, Joliet, Lemont, Lockport, Manhattan, Naperville, Preston Heights, Rockdale, Romeoville, and Shorewood; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi's primary focus in the Illinois Senate has been improving the lives of the people of Will County by bringing jobs and economic development to his home community; he passed a law that helped create intermodal facilities in Elwood and Joliet, creating thousands of jobs and helping make Will County the largest inland port in North America; he also worked with his colleagues and members of Congress to build a new interchange at Weber Road and Interstate-355, bringing new economic development to Joliet and Will County; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi's career in the Illinois Senate has been highlighted by his strong commitment to veterans, a commitment he displayed by twice sponsoring legislation to limit disruptive and inflammatory protests during funerals for veterans and all others; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi demonstrated his commitment to improving the lives of all Illinois residents by serving as the chief Senate sponsor of the law allowing adult adoptees to receive copies of their original birth certificates, giving them access to their own history and helping them learn who they are, where they came from, and their family's medical history; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi has served as a member on a variety of different Senate Committees, including the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Criminal Law, Education, Environment, Gaming, Housing and Community Affairs, Judiciary - Civil Law, Judiciary, Local Government, and Transportation; he also served as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the 96th and 97th General Assemblies, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary - Criminal Law Committee during the 95th General Assembly, and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee during the 94th, 96th, and 97th General Assemblies; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi has been active in a variety of community organizations; he co-sponsored the building of the 13th Will County Habitat for Humanity home; he served as chairman of the board for the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce in 2003 after serving in a variety of other posts for the organization; he also served as chairman of the Diplomats Committee for the Will County Center for Economic Development, chairman of the Collins Street Task Force, member of the Will County Center for Community Concerns Board of Directors, and board member of the Joliet Grade Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence; he has also been active with his alma mater, serving as president of the Joliet Catholic Academy Alumni Board from 1999 to 2001; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his strong leadership on issues important to his district and the State of Illinois, including the Agriculture Certified Legislator Award from the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Legislator Hero Award from IllinoisVictims.org, the Friend of Agriculture Award from the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Pork Producers Legislative Award, the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts, and the Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi is also recognized as a strong family man; he and his wife, Michelle, are raising their 3 daughters, Maycen, Laine, and Marin, in their home in Joliet; and

WHEREAS, Senator A.J. Wilhelmi will be dearly missed by his colleagues and all with whom he has worked for his dedication, professionalism, passion, humor, and willingness to find common sense approaches to governing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Senator Arthur "A.J." Wilhelmi for his years of service to the people of the 43rd Legislative District and the people of the State of Illinois and honor him with this resolution, extending to him and his family our very best wishes for a long and happy future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Senator A.J. Wilhelmi as a symbol of our gratitude and esteem.