SR1568 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1568 LRB101 23186 ECR 74326 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to hear of the death of Zachary "Zac" Jacob Plantz, a Frankfort native and a lifelong Chicago loyalist, who passed away on November 26, 2020 at the age of 27; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz was born to Ronald and Laura (Zoberis) Plantz in Oak Lawn on March 18, 1993; he was an early arrival weighing 11 pounds and 6 ounces; a chubby, happy baby, he grew into a cute and endearing little boy who held a record for ring bearer appearances; he spent his childhood roaming Butternut Circle, winning football championships for the Frankfort Falcons, and playing king of the hill in his swimming pool with his three siblings Tyler, Logan, and Abby; and

WHEREAS, On the football field, Zac Plantz was an intense competitor and leader who played alongside his big brother Tyler for most of his career; he and his brother worked as leaders as only brothers could; he was a beloved member of Providence Catholic High School's Class of 2011 and remained a faithful and dedicated alumnus and PCHS football fan all his life; and

WHEREAS, Matriculating at his family's alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, Zac Plantz's childhood affection for the Fighting Irish flourished into a lifelong love affair; there, his athletic prowess found a new home on the rugby pitch, and he found a beloved new family in the Notre Dame Rugby Club; known by his teammates for being as strong as "an ox in the scrum," he was a stalwart defender who made his tackles count and left nothing on the field; the team left its mark on his heart, and its crest was permanently inked on his upper right thigh; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz's happiest years included those four at Notre Dame; he discovered new loves that sustained and shaped the rest of his life, including a Notre Dame rugby brotherhood, a family in the men of Morrissey Manor/Meat Suite, a stomping ground known as Finnis, and a girl named Kathleen; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz graduated from Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in 2015 with a degree in IT Management; he took his first job as a technology consultant at Protiviti in downtown Chicago, where he also became co-founder, captain, and unofficial social chair of the Kraken Rugby Football Club; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz enjoyed having a competitive job in his favorite city in the world, having only a short drive east to South Bend to see his brothers Tyler (Tuna) and Logan (Nagol) in his favorite college football stadium, having an even shorter drive south home to Frankfort where he could watch a Bears game at Jameson's with his dad, grabbing lunch on Francesca's patio with his mom, and reliving his Providence glory days through his baby sister Abby's (Frabbers) major miles; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz relished Chicago summer nights in Chicago on the Rose Angelis patio with his girlfriend and partner in crime, affectionately called "Kow"; the couple ordered bottles of wine they couldn't afford and every entree on the menu as appetizers; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz's journey into adulthood came with a new sense of purpose; at the age of 25, he left a successful consulting career to pursue his true passion of public service; his first foray into politics was a campaign consulting job for Jerry Joyce for mayor of Chicago, and he took great pride in the campaign and considered it the most rewarding pursuit of his career; it sparked a promising new career in politics, or as he called it, "sports for grown ups"; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz was a smart, adept consultant, and his earnestness, dynamism, and competitive spirit made him an asset to any political campaign; most recently, he served as a campaign manager and senior policy adviser for Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03); he was also planning to attend law school next year; he was a naturally gifted advocate with unshakable conviction and immeasurable potential; his death is a tremendous loss for a legal community that never got to meet him; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz's essence was revealed in his no frills wardrobe, comprised of camouflage sweatpants, a ND Hawaiian shirt, and an endless supply of bucket hats, as well as the wooden Kairos cross he often donned beneath the surface; handsome, charming, and a rascal at heart, he had a dapper smile, a twinkle in his eye, and the kind of genetic sparkle that made him immune to reproach; he was also a man of strong faith and conviction with a few hidden soft spots; he read a daily devotional every morning before work; he had tears in his eyes when the Cubs won the World Series; he poured himself into the things he cared about with his whole heart; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz was fun to his core; a well known "ball of energy," he was a staple to every good shenanigan, a couch buddy always in popular demand, and a staunch advocate for celebrating mediocrity; his heyday was the prolific Plantz Family tailgate that serves as a precursor to both football games and graduations alike; throughout his playful antics, he always held had a deep concern for others; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz left this earth with a dirty mustache that helped him single-handedly raise over $85,000 and counting for the Movember Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving men's physical and mental health; he was a shepherd of sorts for every odd-man-out and was known to bridge the gap between old-timers and newcomers; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz had a knack for making old pals out of strangers and anyone who spent five minutes with him knew why; he was engaging, gregarious, and charismatic; he was a fantastic cheerleader; though he will be remembered by many for his rallying cries to "late-night," those who knew him best will remember him for the sensitivity he displayed while listening, the secrets he kept, and the vivid stories he told during those after hours bull sessions; while his journey on Earth might be over, his legacy will live in the advice he gave, the stories he told, and the people he brought together; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz loved traditions; he loved to sing the Notre Dame Alma Mater in the stadium after football games, to dress up as Santa on Christmas Eve in Grandma Plantz's basement, and to drop everything for opening day at Wrigley Field and eat as many hot dogs as he could stomach, always keeping count; he was stubbornly committed to his childhood delights, including venerating Elvis, cherishing birthdays, and adhering to the same McDonald's regimen his entire life consisting of two McDoubles and an Oreo McFlurry; a little superstitious at heart, he was always involved in the action of Notre Dame and Chicago sports and carried his gambling mantra of PVO, positive vibes only, into all aspects of his life; he would never sweat the small stuff and loved to remind himself and others to relax and live in the moment; and

WHEREAS, At home, Zac Plantz was considered the energy of the family; he added personality, punch, and, most importantly, a plan to every family get together; he constantly doted on his Grandpa Wally and Grandma Erna and was a jack-of-all-trades in their eyes; he was the family ghost-writer, in-house expert on all things related to technology, co-captain and skipper of his brother Logan's boat, and an everyday Mr. Fix It; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz was many things, including a proud son, a loyal friend, a talented athlete, a gifted student, a bright consultant, a faithful Catholic, a devoted Irish, and a Bears, Cubs, and Blackhawks fan; but above all, his starring role on this earth was as a brother; he was exceptionally proud of his three siblings, and his life was the most precious gift to them; their loss is shared by an army of friends and loved ones who will painfully miss him as their own brother; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz was as generous with his brotherly love as he was with his good deeds; there was no destination too far for him to drive and no repair too tedious for him to fix; to know him well was to always have him in your corner; he was fiercely loyal, and he loved with depth and devotion; his family and his friends could always depend on him and still do; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz's last day of life was spent in his happy place, which was on a boat with his family in Sanibel Island, Florida; at the family's home away from home, he spent his last hours with old friends; but his exit from Earth was unfitting and unlike him; it was an early and premature departure from a party that still had much more in store, and, most uncharacteristically, he left behind the people that he loved the most; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Lorraine Plantz; his cousin, Kyle Plantz; and his family dog, Domer; and

WHEREAS, Zac Plantz is survived by his parents; his siblings, Tyler (Jay), Logan (Buzz & Mowgli), and Abby; his maternal grandparents, Walter and Erna Jean Zoberis; his longtime girlfriend, Kathleen Hough; his numerous aunts and uncles; his cousins; and his many dear friends; 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 Zachary "Zac" Plantz 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 Zac Plantz as an expression of our deepest sympathy.