HR0506 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0506 LRB101 13103 ALS 61940 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Jerome "Jerry" Joyce of Reddick, who passed away on June 19, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce was born to Will and Rosella (Engles) Joyce on June 14, 1939; the youngest of four children, he was raised on his family farm and attended Reddick High School; he married his high school sweetheart, Janet Meece, and they raised their four children on that same family farm; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce was a farmer and raised and showed sheep; he was elected township supervisor and then served on the Kankakee County Board; he was elected to the Senate in November 1974; he served in the Senate from January 1975 until his retirement in April 1992; after his retirement, he was replaced by his wife, Janet, who served the remainder of his term, which concluded in January 1993; and

WHEREAS, Throughout much of his tenure, Jerry Joyce was the only farmer in the Senate and championed agricultural, environmental, and local issues for his community; he advocated for the Kankakee River and the Kankakee River State Park; he was a key figure in converting the former sprawling Manteno State Hospital campus into alternative uses upon its closure at the end of 1985; he was a key player in the creation of the 1,017-acre Mazonia/Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area in Grundy County; he supported the Illiana Expressway, the I-355 southern extension, and the proposed third Chicagoland airport; he was part of the "Crazy 8" group of independent Democratic state senators that formed to provide a greater impact on downstate matters; the group's formation led members to gain better committee assignments, and he served as the vice chair of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Energy Committee; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce enjoyed good food, cooking, flowers, bird watching, hunting, fishing, traveling, and collecting knives and decoys; he loved his Key West crew, family, friends, and community; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janet; his granddaughter, Katelyn Marie Joyce; his grandson in infancy, Allen Forneris; his brothers, William Joyce and Joseph Joyce; and his sister, Patricia Stotland; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce is survived by his son, Patrick (Rita) Joyce; his daughters, Judy (Dennis) Forneris, Lori (Tom) Cullen, and Karen (Darren) Barker; his seven grandchildren; his six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jerome "Jerry" Joyce 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 Jerry Joyce as an expression of our deepest sympathy.