SR1302 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1302 LRB100 17752 ALS 32927 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John "Jack" Powers Pearl of Peoria, who passed away on January 11, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to John Wesley and Mildred Pearl on August 25, 1926; he moved with his family to Riverside, attended Riverside Brookfield High School, and graduated in 1944; he then enlisted in the United States Navy, served in Guam, and was honorably discharged in 1946; he attended Bradley University with help from the GI Bill; he married Colleen Cassidy on July 5, 1952; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl founded Pearl Companies in 1954 and acted as Chairman for over 65 years; he began by selling insurance door to door in rural communities throughout the greater Peoria area; he developed an innovative partnership with the Illinois State Bar Association and CNA Insurance Company in 1957; due to these partnerships, Pearl Companies became the leading provider of professional liability insurance in the state, a position the company retains today; the company also grew to include Pearl Insurance Solutions, Pearl Technology, and Pearl Insurance New York; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl diversified his company in 1975 when he purchased the local Honda Motor Cycle dealership, which led to the organization of Pearl Automotive, including ownership of Lexus of Peoria, Peoria Toyota, and Autohaus of Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl consider Peoria his true home and demonstrated this through his investment in the community; he served as a charter member and past president of the American Institute of Professional Association Group Insurance Administrators and as a charter member of the Professional Insurance Marketing Association; he was an active contributor and volunteer for the Children's Miracle Network, the Children's Hospital of Illinois, the United Way, Easter Seals, the Salvation Army, and the Catholic Diocese of Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl received several recognitions for his achievements in business, including the Master of Mass Marketing Award from the Mass Marketing Insurance Institute and the Sigma Chi Significant Sig Award; he was the second recipient of the Legend Award from the Professional Association Group Insurance Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl set an example and developed a culture of giving within Pearl Companies that continues today; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl was preceded in death by his wife, Colleen; his parents; his sister, Ginger Rump; and his son-in-law, Tom Whitten; and

WHEREAS, Jack Pearl is survived by his children, Linda (Mike) Kepple, Dr. Greg (Ashley) Pearl, Lisa Whitten, Gary (Sarah) Pearl, Leslie (Matt) Vonachen, and Laurie Pearl; and his twenty-three grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John "Jack" Powers Pearl 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 Jack Pearl as an expression of our deepest sympathy.