SR1149 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1149 LRB099 15089 MST 39299 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Pastor Ivin Lamont Phillips, Sr. of Chicago, who passed away on October 24, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Phillips was born in Chicago on April 7, 1960 to John Wesley and Cora Mae Phillips; he was a member of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, where he was baptized by his father and served as a choir member, deacon, and Sunday school teacher; he attended Crane High School, Lamar Community College, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, playing basketball at each; he obtained his TV/radio certification from the Illinois Technical Institute and he attended the Washburn Trade School, where he became a licensed electrician; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Phillips worked in the electrician field for over 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Phillips accepted his call to preach in 1992 and became a licensed and ordained minister; he became the Pastor of Hopewell M. B. Church after the passing of his father in 1998; he completed the vision started by his dad, moving Hopewell from the old location to its present in 2001; he served faithfully for 17 years and during his leadership, the membership increased and various community outreach programs were added; he graduated from Faith Seminary, where he obtained his Doctorate in Ministry and Master of Theological Studies; he also studied abroad in Israel; he pursued classes at Bill Winston Bible College and Moody Bible Institute and was also a certified chaplain; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Phillips was fondly known as "Ivo" by his basketball buddies and their team, "Cheat You Fair", enjoyed several championships together; he coached the Memorial Park Traveling Wildcats basketball team and was known as "Coach Phillips" to many in the Bellwood Community; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Phillips served as 1st Vice-President from 2010 to 2014 of the Sunlight District Congress of Christian Education and taught extensively throughout the State; he was a member of the United Baptist State Convention of Illinois; he preached at the National Baptist Convention, USA in 2013 and served with Inter Faith Illinois and Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Phillips is survived by his wife of 25 years, Jeanette Phillips; his 2 sons, Ivin Lamont Phillips Jr. and Jarvis Lamont Phillips; his mother, Cora Mae Phillips; his 8 brothers, John Douglas (Willie Mae), Michael (Juanita), Robert (Linda), Elder Jerry (Geraldine), James (Beverly), Winston (Cheryl), Minister Autry (Cheryl), and Victor (Kisha); his 2 sisters, Gloria and Felicia; his father-in-law, Dennis Beasley; his 2 sisters-in-law, Cheryl Beasley and Katrina Beasley; his brother-in-law, Tim Beasley; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and church family; and his fathers in the ministry, Pastor Curtis Brooks and Emeritus C.L. Brookins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Pastor Ivin Lamont Phillips, Sr., and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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