SR0463 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jerome Lilly of Peoria, who passed away on December 8, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly was born on April 20, 1954 in Peoria; his parents were Thomas and Fannie (Young) Lilly; he married Kimberly Currie on November 4, 1989 in Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly was a 1972 graduate of Richwoods High School, where, in 1997, his football team was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly had a long and distinguished career in mass transit; he began his career in 1988 as a part-time bus driver for CityLink, working his way to full-time status a short time later; in the 1990's, he was promoted to supervisor at CityLink and was elected to the position of vice president of Amalgamated Transit Union Peoria Local 416; in 2000, he was named CityLink's new assistant general manager; on September 7, 2007, he was appointed to head CityLink's day-to-day operations, which was made official by the organization's board in October of 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly was instrumental in many changes to the CityLink Transit Center, such as the installation of security cameras on the City of Peoria's buses, improved relations between the union and CityLink's administration, and a better reputation for the company; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly was active with many community organizations; he was a member of the board of the Peoria Tri-County Urban League and the Illinois Public Transportation Association; he was a member of the Peoria North Rotary Club; he was also a member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, where he served as a trustee and as chairman of the Men's Club; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie, and his brother, Thomas Lilly Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly is survived by his wife, Kimberly; his sons, Jerome David Lilly II and Elton Raul Mackey II; his daughter, Lauren Melissa-Obnetta Thomas; his father, Thomas Lilly Sr.; his brothers, Timothy (Shona) Lilly and Fred Michael Lilly; his sisters, Pamela Eve Lilly, Cheryl Renee (the Rev. Joseph) Anthony, and Bonita G. Lilly; his aunt, Araminta Young; his father-in-law, Rollins Currie; his god-daughter, Gabrielle Palmeri; and his many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Lilly will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as an honest, respectful, and fair person whose contagious laughter, beaming smile, and upbeat personality drew attention wherever he went; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Jerome Lilly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jerome Lilly as an expression of our sympathy.