SR0111 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0111 LRB102 16954 MST 22371 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles E. "Chuck" Brooks of Danville, who passed away on February 8, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks was born in Danville to Charles and Sandra (Mackin) Brooks on January 27, 1959; he graduated from Danville High School and from Danville Area Community College with an associate's degree; he married Rita Hyer in Danville on May 20, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks worked at the ESCO factory and spent many years at the United Way before his most recent position as administrator at Danville Township; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks was always giving back to the community; he served on the Community Services Counsel, as Secretary/Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, and as past board member and president of the Vermilion County Conservation District Board of Trustees; he also served as chairman of the Danville Area Food Pantry, the Vermilion County Democratic party, and the FEMA Board for Vermilion County; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks managed the Septemberfest celebration and Labor Day parades in Danville for many years; he was instrumental in getting the local postal carriers and the Frost Bite Marathon food drives started in Vermilion County; he volunteered with the Salvation Army as part of the Christmas Cheer Counsel and the Back-to-School supply distribution; he also enjoyed volunteering at Haunted Happenings for the Conservation District; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks was affectionately known as "Papa Chuck", "Pawka", and "Uncle Chuck" to his family members; he was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Illini; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks enjoyed spending time with family and friends and watching his favorite teams; he was an avid fan of NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt; he enjoyed movies, especially Star Wars; recently, he and his wife enjoyed a magical Tennessee Christmas at his favorite vacation spot in Pigeon Forge; his greatest passion was combining his computer skills and his love of Christmas to create the Brooks Family Christmas, lighting up rural Danville for the past 22 years and always trying to make it bigger and better than the year before; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim Washkowiak, and his father, Charles Brooks; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Brooks is survived by his wife, Rita; his mother, Sandra Brooks; his brother, Mark (Tammy) Brooks; his children, Amanda "Amy" Long and Karha (Eric) Rosson; his grandchildren, Nicholas (Kirstie) Hedges, Dylan Washkowiak, McKenna Rosson, Maci Long, and Kaiden and Christopher Hazel; and his nieces and nephews, Hannah (Ronnie), Miles, Nora, and Isla Wheeler, Matthew Brooks (Olivia Emerick), and Josh and Jaxon Dicken; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Charles E. "Chuck" Brooks 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 Chuck Brooks as an expression of our deepest sympathy.