SR1087 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1087 LRB102 28210 LAW 40020 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 to Tom and Dorothy Zobel Costello in Chicago 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 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 a master of ceremonies 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 started teaching communication on a part-time basis in 1972 and 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; and

WHEREAS, Tom Costello loved his family, community, students, co-workers, and neighbors; he used his energy, talent, and experiences to help others; he was generous and thoughtful and had an unfailing sense of humor; 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, Connor, Rory, and Cora; 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" 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.