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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of John L. Balen of Waukegan, who passed
4 away on October 21, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, John Balen was born in Lincoln on June 14, 1923;
6 his parents were John and Rose Balen; and
 
7     WHEREAS, John Balen moved with his family from Lincoln to
8 North Chicago in 1924; he grew up in North Chicago and
9 graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1940; and
 
10     WHEREAS, John Balen served his nation with pride and
11 distinction as a member of the United States Armed Forces in
12 the South Pacific and in the Philippines during World War II;
13 and
 
14     WHEREAS, John Balen was employed by US-Steel in Waukegan
15 for 40 years before the plant closed; he also served as
16 President of the Local Steelworkers Union 1115; he began his
17 political career in North Chicago as a member of the Foss Park
18 District Board from 1948 to 1954 and as a member of the North
19 Chicago City Council from 1949 to 1951; he continued his
20 lifetime of public service until his passing; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, John Balen was a member of Holy Family Church in
2 Waukegan and the Waukegan Knights of Columbus Council 731; he
3 served as a North Chicago Alderman from 1949 to 1951, a Foss
4 Park Board member from 1948 to 1954, a Waukegan Alderman from
5 1995 until his passing, a member of the Waukegan School Board
6 from 1993 to 1995, a Waukegan Township Supervisor from 1961 to
7 1965, a member of the Lake County Board of Supervisors from
8 1961 to 1965 and from 1972 to 1990, and a Lake County Board
9 Chairman from 1974 to 1976; he was also a member of the St.
10 Bartholomew Seniors Club, a past President of the US
11 Steelworkers Union and President of Steelworkers Retiree Club,
12 a member of Waukegan/North Chicago Seniors Club, a volunteer
13 for the Waukegan Township Seniors Club, and a member of the
14 Croatian Fraternal Union, Local Chapter; and
 
15     WHEREAS, John Balen enjoyed bowling, golf, and baseball; he
16 played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals after
17 World War II and was a life long Chicago Cubs fan; and
 
18     WHEREAS, John Balen was preceded in death by his parents;
19 his brothers, Steve, Nicholas, and Michael Balen; and his
20 sisters, Martha Plier, Mary Slezak, and Jane Wright; and
 
21     WHEREAS, John Balen is survived by his wife of 58 years,
22 Helen; his daughters, Rochelle (Thomas) Talley and Cheryl
23 (David) Kelly; his son, John V. (Norma) Balen; his

 

 

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1 grandchildren, John, Lauren, Allyson, and Elena Kelly, and John
2 A. and Danielle Balen; his brother, Matthew Balen; his sister,
3 Rosemary Ress; and his many nieces and nephews; and
 
4     WHEREAS, John Balen will be remembered by all who knew and
5 loved him as a devoted and loving husband, father, and
6 grandfather, as well as an effective advocate of the "little
7 guy" who believed in the basic goodness of everyone; therefore,
8 be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
10 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
11 his family and friends, the passing of John L. Balen; and be it
12 further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of John L. Balen as an expression of
15 our sympathy.