SR0146 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0146 LRB103 31593 LAW 59852 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Austin Keating of Streamwood, who passed away on March 18, 2023; and

WHEREAS, At birth, Austin Keating was given a survival rate of 1%; he had his first kidney transplant at age 16 months, with his mother as his donor, and his second at age 17, with his friend Cherish Walsh as his donor; and

WHEREAS, At age 20, Austin Keating developed a rare cancer, post-transplant lymphoma, and he beat the odds; he went into kidney failure again in July 2021; he developed a very rare bacterial infection in August 2022, forcing him to remove both donor kidneys; he also underwent two lung surgeries after the bacteria spread to his lungs; his liver started to fail in January 2023, and he continued to fight off one infection after another until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Austin Keating was an avid member of and volunteer for many organizations; he served as a representative for the PKD Foundation for ARPKD (infantile PKD) and as a Child of Hope for Lurie's Children Hospital; he was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood; he swam competitively on the Hanover Park Sailfish Swim Team for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Austin Keating had many skills, interests, and experiences; he was trained in CPR as a lifeguard and for a career as an EMT, saving a man's life at age 20; he knew sign language; he loved theater and musicals, and he was an extra in the movie Divergent; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Austin Keating served as an usher at St. John's the Evangelist Church and taught Religious Education; and

WHEREAS, Austin Keating had a remarkable, though brief, life; he will be remembered for being strong in soul and spirit; and

WHEREAS, Austin Keating was the son of Diane and the late Thomas E. Keating; the brother of Alex (fiancé, Michelle Sutton), Riley, and the late Ryan; the grandson of Tom and Carole Keating and Greg and Patricia Smentek; and the nephew and cousin of many; and

WHEREAS, Austin Keating is also survived by his mother's companion, Michael Grandinetti; 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 Austin Keating 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 Austin Keating as an expression of our deepest sympathy.