SR2262 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2262 LRB099 23527 GRL 51004 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Rev. James Edward Allen of Joliet, who passed away on September 13, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was born on November 30, 1931 in Canton; his parents were Jacob and Marguerite Allen; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen graduated from Indiana Central College and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen served as pastor of Joliet's Ottawa Street United Methodist Church; during his 41 years with the United Methodist Church, he served congregations in Good Hope, Ransom, Plainfield, Shannon, Sycamore, Savanna, and Joliet; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Rev. James Allen conceived of and founded Joliet/Will County Project Pride (now Project Acclaim) with other community leaders to promote the positive elements of life in the Joliet area; he also led many classes, workshops, and support groups, participated in pastoral exchanges to England and Australia, and took service and educational trips to Chile, South Africa, and Israel; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen served on the boards and in the leadership of many community organizations, including Joliet/Will County Project Pride, the Salvation Army, YMCA, Catholic Charities, the American Red Cross, the Senior Services Center, the Rotary Club, the Community Services Council, and the Joliet Ecumenical Clergy Association; he also served as Chaplain for the Joliet Area Community Hospice, the Center for Correctional Concerns at the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and Silver Cross Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was the recipient of many awards and accolades, including the Joliet Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, the Joliet Catholic Diocese Pax Joliet Award, the Senior Services Center Shining Star Award, induction into the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Hall of Pride, the Community Services Council Human Services Award, the Daybreak Volunteer of the Year, and the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities Mary Linden Award; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy; his children, Beth Ann (Mark) Thelo and Paul (Megan) Allen; and his grandchildren, Bennett and Grace Thelo; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Rev. James Edward Allen; and be it further

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