SR0033 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0033 LRB094 08443 CSA 38648 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of John Whiteside of Joliet on January 22, 2005; and

WHEREAS, John was born in Vienna and was a long-time Joliet area resident; he graduated from Vienna High School, Joliet Junior College, and Northern Illinois University; he was a U.S. Air Force veteran and a featured columnist at the Joliet Herald News; he started his career as a beat reporter at the newspaper in 1971, quickly earning a reputation as an aggressive reporter covering the crime beat and local government; he began writing his popular column in 1981 and developed a loyal following over the past 24 years; and

WHEREAS, He was recipient of many awards throughout his outstanding newspaper career, including the 2001 Governor's Hometown Award for his first place Taylor Pirc Police Video Camera Project, the 1981 Illinois Journalist of the Year Award, Will County Sheriff's Department 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, Joliet Area Historical Museum War Heroes Gallery named in his honor, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Memorial Squad Certificate of Appreciation for support in establishing the honor guard, and an Illinois House Resolution on November 19, 2004 honoring his long service to the Herald News and the Joliet Community; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his father, Sherman Whiteside; his beloved grandmother, Lula Whiteside; his Aunt Mary Whiteside and Aunt Martha Koehler; and his loving stepfather, Robert C. Hill; and

WHEREAS, The passing of John Whiteside is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his loving wife of 39 years, Mary Jane (nee Wharton); his daughter, Shelley Ann Whiteside; his mother, Jane Hill; his brothers, Jerry (Katrina) Whiteside and Allan (Mary Ann) Hill; his sister, Sue (Dr. David) Ray; his two step-sisters, Greta (Ed) Chitwood and Gloria (Homer) Baker; and his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Whiteside and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.