SR0784 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0784 LRB095 21814 KXB 52035 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James C. "Jim" Lukacek of Naperville, formerly of Worth, who passed away on June 29, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Jim Lukacek was born February 6, 1949 in Evergreen Park; he was a 1967 graduate of Richards High School and a 1971 graduate of Chicago State University; he began his career as an elementary school teacher with the Chicago Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Jim switched careers to the computer field in 1976 and was hired by the federal government where he continued to be employed for 32 years; he worked for the Railroad Retirement Board, the Veterans' Administration Data Processing Center/Supply Depot, and then transferred to the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's office as System Manager, serving in that role for 24 years; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, Jim volunteered to be detailed to the State Department, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Regime Crimes Liaison Office and Iraqi High Tribunal in Baghdad for 10 months where he assisted in the trial of Saddam Hussein; during his employment with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Jim was selected by the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys to serve among an elite group of eight Regional Systems Managers who as a group were responsible for the development and coordination of IT services to all 94 U.S. Attorney Offices throughout our nation's 50 states as well as U.S. territories; and

WHEREAS, Jim had the honor and distinction of being one of the longest serving Evaluators for the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys Office, providing guidance and assistance to every U.S. Attorney District Field and Branch offices nationwide; Jim received numerous awards for his outstanding service at both the local and district levels, the Department of Justice's Executive Office for U.S Attorneys, and the Office of the U.S. Attorney General; and he received numerous letters of commendation from U.S. Attorneys and various agency heads within the Executive and Judicial branches of government; and

WHEREAS, Jim has a lifelong affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America, first as a member of Troop #3456, Worth, and later serving as Assistant Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairman for Naperville Boy Scouts of America Troop #133; Jim also served on the Naperville Sister Cities Commission from 2005 to 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jim Lukacek was the loving husband of Jeannette Swist Lukacek; the beloved father of Jonathan (Shiho) and Lauren Lukacek; the devoted son of the late Joseph and Shirley (nee Pauls) Lukacek; the son-in-law of the late John and Emily Swist (nee Druktenis); the dear brother of JoAnn (Jim) Bunyea and Paul (Liz nee Gedmin) Lukacek; the fond uncle of Jennifer (Seth) Hopkins, Jason Bunyea, Emily and Phillip Lukacek, and the late Jane Lukacek; the dear great-uncle to Astrid Simone Bunyea-Hopkins; the loving nephew and cousin to many; and the adored grandson of the late Angelina (nee Gruz) and Klement Lukacek, and the late Margaret (nee Brehm) and Arthur Pauls; 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 James Lukacek; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James C. "Jim" Lukacek as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.