HR0932 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0932 LRB103 43240 ECR 76516 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Heather Marie McMeekan of Peoria Heights, formerly of Macomb, who passed away on October 6, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan was born to George and Iris (Petersen) Platt in Park Ridge on August 9, 1968; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan taught hundreds of students during her years as the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) program coordinator at Western Illinois University (WIU); she was the lead instructor for EMTv, a television series providing continuing education for Illinois EMT-Basics (EMT-Bs); she was also the founding faculty advisor for Western EMS, a student-run Emergency Medical Services (EMS) service on the WIU campus; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Macomb and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Peoria; she served on the church's Women's Connection Council for six years, introduced other members to her love of kites and drumming, and led several workshops through the fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan, a dedicated community activist and organizer, served as co-president of the Peoria Chapter of the National Organization of Women; she was the founder and president of the Democratic Women of McDonough County and was a founding member of Indivisible West Central Illinois and the Racial Justice Coalition of West Central Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan loved her children, kites, drumming, painting, sculpting, and scrap-booking; she loved sharing her interests with others and did so through the foundation of the Macomb Kite Festival, the Macomb Community Drum Circle, Macomb Pride, and many other organizations; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan was preceded in death by her parents; and

WHEREAS, Heather McMeekan is survived by her children, Iris McMeekan and Kellen McMeekan; her sisters, Anne (Tom) Atherton and Laura Croft; and her ex-husband, Peter McMeekan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Heather Marie McMeekan and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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