SR1163 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1163 LRB101 21373 MST 71999 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas J. "Tom" Costello of Urbana, who passed away on April 15, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello was born in Chicago to Tom and Dorothy Zobel Costello on August 25, 1949; he attended St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago; he earned his bachelor's degree at John Carroll University in Cleveland and his master's degree from Miami University of Ohio; he then attended the University of Illinois, where he worked toward a doctorate; he married Rosemary Lakatos on May 24, 1974; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello became a part-time bus driver for the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District in May of 1974; he eventually became the assistant managing director, becoming a friend, guide, and mentor to hundreds of employees over the 40 years he worked with the organization; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello was an avid volunteer in his adopted hometown; he served as a volunteer youth coach for soccer, basketball, and baseball; he frequently acted as an emcee or an auctioneer at community events; he served on the boards of many organizations, including the United Way, the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, the Champaign Rotary, the Developmental Services Center, the Illini Media Company, the C-U Schools Foundation, the Freedom Celebration Committee, the Champaign County Clock and Bell Tower Committee, and the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation; he was a member of the University of Illinois Faculty Senate; he also was an Urbana City Council member and was the first chair of the Urbana Civilian Police Review Board; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello was a senior instructor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois, where he taught an introductory speaking course and courses in leadership, business, and professional speaking; he was regularly recognized for "Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching"; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello followed sports, especially his former U of I students, some of whom became professional athletes; he enjoyed Westerns, theater, especially Broadway musicals, fishing, dining out, cooking massive amounts of food for large crowds, and organizing events for two to 2,000; he liked to travel and took his children to Europe several times, once to see sites in Italy, where his beloved father helped send the Axis to defeat in World War II; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello loved his family, community, students, co-workers, and neighbors; he was a friend to many, including the receptionist at the doctor's office, the attendant at the drive-thru restaurant, and the checkout clerk at the grocery store; his goal was to make his community a better place, and the proof of success is in his legion of friends and admirers; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello was preceded in death by his son, Patrick; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his sons, Joseph (Kaitlin) and Jack (Laura); and his grandchildren, Libby and Rory; 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 Thomas J. "Tom" Costello 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 Tom Costello as an expression of our deepest sympathy.