SR2262LRB099 23527 GRL 51004 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of  Rev. James Edward Allen of Joliet, who 
4passed away on September 13, 2016; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was born on November 30, 1931 in 
6Canton; his parents were Jacob and Marguerite Allen; and
  
 
7    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen graduated from Indiana Central 
8College and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen served as pastor of Joliet's 
10Ottawa Street United Methodist Church; during his 41 years with 
11the United Methodist Church, he served congregations in Good 
12Hope, Ransom, Plainfield, Shannon, Sycamore, Savanna, and 
13Joliet; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, In 1985, Rev. James Allen conceived of and founded 
15Joliet/Will County Project Pride (now Project Acclaim) with 
16other community leaders to promote the positive elements of 
17life in the Joliet area; he also led many classes, workshops, 
18and support groups, participated in pastoral exchanges to 
19England and Australia, and took service and educational trips 
20to Chile, South Africa, and Israel; and
  
 
 
 
SR2262- 2 -LRB099 23527 GRL 51004 r

1    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen served on the boards and in the 
2leadership of many community organizations, including 
3Joliet/Will County Project Pride, the Salvation Army, YMCA, 
4Catholic Charities, the American Red Cross, the Senior Services 
5Center, the Rotary Club, the Community Services Council, and 
6the Joliet Ecumenical Clergy Association; he also served as 
7Chaplain for the Joliet Area Community Hospice, the Center for 
8Correctional Concerns at the Will County Adult Detention 
9Facility, and Silver Cross Hospital; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was the recipient of many awards 
11and accolades, including the Joliet Chamber of Commerce 
12Lifetime Achievement Award, the Joliet Catholic Diocese Pax 
13Joliet Award, the Senior Services Center Shining Star Award, 
14induction into the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Hall of 
15Pride, the Community Services Council Human Services Award, the 
16Daybreak Volunteer of the Year, and the Coalition of Citizens 
17with Disabilities Mary Linden Award; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was preceded in death by his 
19parents; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen is survived by his loving wife of 
2157 years, Nancy; his children, Beth Ann (Mark) Thelo and Paul 
22(Megan) Allen; and his grandchildren, Bennett and Grace Thelo; 
23therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
SR2262- 3 -LRB099 23527 GRL 51004 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his 
3family and friends, mourn the passing of Rev. James Edward 
4Allen; and be it further
  
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
6presented to the family of Rev. James Allen as an expression of 
7our sympathy.