SR0980 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0980 LRB103 40592 ECR 73208 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas A. "Tom" Hernandez of Plainfield, who passed away on April 15, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez was born to Danna and Anthony Paul Hernandez on January 16, 1966; he attended F.E. Marsh Elementary School, Gompers Junior High School, and Joliet East High School, and he graduated from Joliet Central High School in 1984; he received a Bachelor of Science from Lewis University in 1988; and

WHEREAS, For over 35 years, Tom Hernandez worked as a communications and marketing professional in a variety of areas, including traditional journalism, public relations, private-sector marketing, and public speaking; he was a regular correspondent for The Herald-News in Joliet from 1986 to 1988, a reporter for The Beacon-News from 1988 to 1992, a reporter and editor for the Pioneer Press from 1992 to 1996, and a weekly columnist for the Plainfield Sun from 1998 to 2009; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez then served as a communications specialist for the Illinois State Board of Education from 1996 to 2001 and as director of community relations at St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 from 2001 to 2006; he spent most of his career as director of community relations at Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, where he worked from 2006 to 2023; during his tenure, he managed and produced all internal and external communications for the fifth largest school district in Illinois, including all regular and crisis communications and special projects, and served as the district's media and community liaison; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez was a highly sought-after emcee for many events, including a poetry anthology unveiling at the Plainfield Public Library District and District 202's CAPE Awards; he also served as a keynote speaker for the inaugural Nolan and Gloria McCants Scholarship program; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez was a member of the former Great Read community literacy program and a founding member of the Plainfield School District 202 Foundation for Excellence; he was a past member of United Way of Will County, where he formerly served as secretary, treasurer, and board chair, and he also served in the Education Division and on the Program & Allocations Committee; he was also instrumental in creating United Way's 2-1-1 Will County, a free, multilingual, and confidential 24-hour information and referral service on health and human services in Will County; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez was a member of the Illinois chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), and he was named a Distinguished Communicator in 2018 and received an Award of Excellence in 2020 for D202 Talks: A Conversation with D202'S First Director of Digital Learning and Innovation; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez was the co-leader of WriteOn Joliet, a welcoming, diverse group of writers of varied skills, interests, and experience, and he contributed to all eight anthologies the group produced; he also authored several books, including Chocolate Cows and Purple Cheese, and Other Tales from the Homefront in 2009, Abundance in 2012, The Edge of Middle - Thoughts from the Top of the Hill in 2017, The Acorn Wars in 2019, The Weekly Fruit and Vegetable Report in 2020, and Brothers: and Other Stories in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez valued his faith and family above all else; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez was preceded in death by his father; his uncle, Ray Hernandez; his grandparents, Charmaine Hurt, Epifanio Hernandez, and Felisa Hernandez; and his aunts, Eudella Asa, Elvira Ibarra, and Catherine Hernandez; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hernandez is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kellie (Madison) Hernandez; his daughters, Emma (Jake) Williams and Olivia (Tyler) Mueller; his granddaughter, Riley Williams; his mother, Danna (Robert Jensby) Hernandez; his brothers, Tim Hernandez and Paul (Kari) Hernandez; his parents-in-law, Jim Madison and Lynn Madison; his sister-in-law, Amy (Earl Amos) Madison; his aunt-in-law, Jeri Madison; his nieces and nephews, Alexandra, Francesca, Anthony, Mickinzie, Alexander, Alyse, Garrit, Emmitt, and Wyitt; and his nephew and godson, Ayden; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas A. "Tom" Hernandez 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 Hernandez as an expression of our deepest sympathy.