SR1107 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1107 LRB101 21303 MST 71908 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John C. Beck, who passed away on April 13, 2020; and

WHEREAS, John Beck was born in Hays, Kansas to Robert and Donna Beck on April 23, 1962; his family settled in Rockford in 1968; he graduated from Rockford West High School in 1980 and from the University of Illinois in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics; he met his future wife, Sandra, in 1985; and

WHEREAS, After graduating college, John Beck joined the team at the Regional Access & Mobilization Project (RAMP); he led RAMP through their first capital campaign, enabling them to purchase their home on Market Street; his outreach and connections with the City of Rockford, the Rockford Mass Transit District, the Rockford Park District, Rockford Chariots, and countless corporations and organizations were immeasurable; he represented RAMP on numerous boards, including the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, John Beck joined the Rockford Park District in October of 2007 as the Project Manager for Arts and Events and as the Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Officer; and

WHEREAS, John Beck served as an alderperson for Rockford's 12th Ward for 19 years; he served in various capacities, including as chair of the Finance & Personnel Committee and on the Rockford Area Arts Council, combining his love of service with his love of the arts; and

WHEREAS, John Beck had a passion for working with others from all backgrounds through many events and programs, including the annual Illinois Snow Sculpting Competition, the Festival of Lights, and Music in the Park; and

WHEREAS, John Beck was a founding member of the Rockford Chariots Wheelchair Athletic Association; he helped form an adult wheelchair basketball team, which inspired the development of a junior wheelchair basketball team with the Rockford Park District; and

WHEREAS, John Beck believed every person that RAMP served deserved an equal opportunity and strove to level the playing field for all people with disabilities; he was courageous, compassionate, thoughtful, and a good listener; and

WHEREAS, John Beck is survived by his wife, Sandra; his father, Robert Beck; his mother, Donna Beck; and his sisters, Ann (Dave) Waggoner, Mary (Kevin) Flack, and Susan (David); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John C. Beck 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 John Beck as an expression of our deepest sympathy.