SR0532 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0532 LRB102 20344 LAW 29200 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Cheryl (Bills) McIntire of Danville, who passed away on September 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire was born to Eldon and Bernice Bills in Elgin Memorial Hospital on September 22, 1955; she was raised in Barrington; she graduated from Barrington High School in 1973 and Illinois State University in 1977; she married Robert McIntire in Barrington in 1978; she later obtained her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her master's degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire took a job as a juvenile probation officer for the McLean County Court Services Office after graduating from Illinois State University; her professional career led her to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a caseworker, which she maintained as her family moved to Ottawa and then Champaign; her husband's employment then led her to Catlin in Vermilion County, where she obtained employment as a school social worker for the Vermilion Association for Special Education and then Danville District 118; she then returned to DCFS as a supervisor and moved to Danville before advancing to the position of assistant regional administrator for the Central Region of DCFS; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire matriculated at Eastern Illinois University to obtain a master's degree after her employment with DCFS ended; she interned for Danville District 188 before serving as principal of Pleasant Acres Elementary School in Rantoul; she then served as principal of Northeast Elementary Magnet School in Danville; during her tenure, Northeast Elementary was awarded the Gold Award from the Alliance For A Healthier Generation for the healthy food program the school instituted, becoming the first elementary school in the nation to receive such an award; she left District 118 to return to DCFS as an assistant deputy director, administering adoptions statewide for the agency; and

WHEREAS, After her retirement, Cheryl McIntire served as executive director for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Vermilion County and as an administrator for the Center for Youth and Family Solutions; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire was initiated as an alumni member of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for women in 2013; she enjoyed antiquing and owned several antique businesses in the Danville area; she was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and was present at Wrigley Field with her husband and daughter when the Cubs clinched the pennant in 2016; she loved walking and spoiling her Scottish Terriers, Thompson and Katie; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire was known for her lifelong devotion to children, beginning with her social work internship for the Salvation Army in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood; she loved helping children in her care, assisting her students to succeed, and mentoring others who had the same devotion; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Carolyn (Jeffrey) McIntire; her brother, Douglas Bills; and her sister, Deborah (Duane) Cope; and

WHEREAS, Cheryl McIntire is survived by her daughter, Melinda McIntire; her stepson, Jeffrey (the late Carolyn) McIntire; her brothers, Dennis (Nancy) Bills, Richard (Suzette) Bills, and brother Allen (Pamela) Bills; her sister, Karen Bills See; and her brother-in-law, Duane Cope; 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 Cheryl (Bills) McIntire and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Cheryl McIntire as an expression of our deepest sympathy.