SR0561 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0561 LRB102 20865 LAW 29747 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas J. "Tom" Mikulecky of Peoria, who passed away on September 26, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Tom Mikulecky was born to Dr. Elston J. Mikulecky, D.D.S. and Doris Alberta Charleston Mikulecky in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 8, 1938; he attended Glencoe Public Schools in Minnesota, where he played baritone; he earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science/International Relations from the University of Minnesota in 1960, where he was a member of the marching band; he received his master's degree in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Harvard and Tufts Universities in 1961; he served in the U.S. military from 1962 to 1964, where he was deployed as first lieutenant to Okinawa, Japan; he completed his doctorate in Political Science/Public Administration at the University of Arizona; and

WHEREAS, Tom Mikulecky taught as a full-time adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University; he later taught at Illinois Wesleyan University, Illinois State University, and Heartland Community College in Bloomington; he noted his greatest enjoyment in teaching was when his students brought current public issues to class for discussion and integration into the current curriculum topic; and

WHEREAS, Tom Mikulecky worked on developing grants to supplement the City of Tucson's capital improvements program as his first administrative job; he then served as assistant to the city manager for intergovernmental services of the City of Dallas, Texas; after a teaching stint at Southern Methodist University, he returned to management as county manager of Summit County, Colorado; he then served as city manager of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Peoria, Illinois; before retiring, he performed municipal management consulting services for a variety of cities and organizations, including as acting administrator of Pekin, city administrator of Farmer City, city manager of Streator, city administrator of Braidwood, and city administrator of Carpentersville; and

WHEREAS, Tom Mikulecky was deeply committed to his faith, and he participated in the Newmann Center at the University of Minnesota; he loved music and sang bass throughout his life, culminating in several years with the men's choir of the Orpheus Club of Peoria; he also enjoyed fishing, golfing, dancing, and walking the beach with his wife on South Padre Island, Texas; and

WHEREAS, Tom Mikulecky was known for his deep voice, large stature, and commanding presence as a no-nonsense leader; he will be remembered by his family for his family fishing trips, his booming harmony in mass on Sundays, his patient yet pointed encouragement, and his unconditional love; and

WHEREAS, Tom Mikulecky is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patsy (Patricia Ann); his children, Joe (Dorothy) Mikulecky, Chris (Dayton) Sitz, Paul (Marga) Mikulecky, and Susan Boyme; his grandchildren, Carmen, Claire, Colin, Owen, Ronen, and Morgan; 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 Thomas J. "Tom" Mikulecky 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 Mikulecky as an expression of our deepest sympathy.