Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0565

SR0565 LRB104 17560 LAW 30988 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dean E. Williams of Springfield, who passed away on December 30, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams, the son of Marian Sylvester and Mayala Spann Williams, was born in Toledo, Ohio on December 15, 1941; he graduated from Lanphier High School in 1959; he attended Sangamon State University and Lincoln Land Community College, where he majored in film; he served in the United States Navy; he married Joyce Irene Clark on March 1, 1997, and she preceded him in death on June 20, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams served as a still photographer on the set of more than 160 Hollywood films and television productions, beginning with The Awakening Land, a television miniseries starring Elizabeth Montgomery and Hal Holbrook, which filmed in the Springfield area; his other movie credits included The Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, Eddie Macon's Run, Starman, Poltergeist III, Uncle Buck, Tango & Cash, Freejack, The Babe, Batman Returns, Mighty Ducks II, and Legally Blonde 2, among others; he also had three producing credits, including American Criminals, a 2025 drama about the kidnapping and murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in Chicago in 1924, and one director credit for a short film; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams was the founder and executive director of the Central Illinois Film Commission (CIFC), which he started in 2005; through CIFC, he worked tirelessly to promote Central Illinois as a viable and welcoming location for film and media production, bringing productions to the area, and he connected local talent with meaningful opportunities and championed the creative community; he later owned and operated Dean Williams Photography in Springfield, specializing in professional portraits, weddings, and events, and he formerly served as chief photographer for the Illinois State Police; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams was a devoted member of Elm Street Christian Church and a member of VFW Post #10302 in Springfield, and he served as a longtime precinct committeeman for the Republican Party; he was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams was a visionary, a mentor, an advocate, and a cornerstone of the Central Illinois film and creative community; he will be remembered for his never-ending optimism and good attitude, and his legacy will live on through the projects he built, the people he supported, and the creative community he helped strengthen; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Rick Williams, and his brother, Larry Williams; and

WHEREAS, Dean Williams is survived by his children, Duane E. Williams, Dana Ray Williams, Craig (Cindy) Schaefer, Suzanne (Kevin) King, and LeaAnn (Rod) Johnson, and 15 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dean E. Williams 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 Dean Williams as an expression of our deepest sympathy.