SR1326 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1326 LRB103 43489 LAW 76823 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John A. Spring, former Mayor of Quincy, who passed away on December 2, 2024; and

WHEREAS, John Spring, the son of John C. and Aledo Arnould Spring, was born in Kewanee on June 7, 1948; he graduated from Alleman High School in Rock Island and attended Quincy College; he married Karen Jansen at St. Boniface Catholic Church in 1968, and they moved to St. Louis; he graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1971; and

WHEREAS, John Spring initially taught science in the Parkway School System in the western suburbs of St. Louis County; after returning to Quincy with his family in 1974, he taught fifth and sixth grades at Monroe Elementary School for two years before joining Quincy Notre Dame High School (QND) in 1976 to teach biology and coach football and basketball; he became the first director of development at QND in 1977, and his career spanned 29 years; he fundraised QND into lasting financial stability, allowing many capital improvements and student scholarships along the way; his success awarded him the opportunity to serve on the board of the National Catholic Development Conference; in this capacity, he traveled across the country to consult with private schools on raising money to strengthen Catholic education; and

WHEREAS, John Spring was elected as Mayor of Quincy in 2005, and he served in that capacity for the next eight years; during his tenure, he firmly believed that a strong transportation system would lead to economic growth and community development, and he was instrumental in the expansion of Amtrak services to Quincy residents; he was noted for always putting citizens first while working collaboratively with others to move the city forward; and

WHEREAS, John Spring further served his community through numerous organizations and boards over the years, including the Quincy Service Club, the Salvation Army, the Quincy Notre Dame Foundation, Transitions of Western Illinois, the Quincy Art Center, the National Catholic Development Conference, the Great River Economic Development Foundation, the Illinois Municipal League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, the Quincy Fire and Police Commission, the Quincy Water Commission, the Illinois State Police Merit Board, and the Quincy Sister City Commission; he also regularly attended the Quincy Service Club at the Elks Club every Friday afternoon; and

WHEREAS, John Spring was devoted to his faith; he was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and St. Francis Catholic Church through the years; most recently, he also loved attending Quincy University's Chapel every Sunday morning, where he enjoyed a strong relationship and friendship with the Franciscans in Quincy; and

WHEREAS, John Spring loved golfing with his friends; he was an avid listener of KMOX Radio out of St. Louis and the St. Louis Cardinals, and he broadcasted many QND basketball and football games with WGEM Radio over the years; he loved attending sporting events, especially QND or Quincy University games; he enjoyed boating, fishing, and spending time with family at the Lake of the Ozarks; he and his wife, Karen, loved traveling, especially their annual family trips to St. Simons Island, Georgia; he also loved attending his children's and grandchildren's activities, including many sporting events and dance recitals; and

WHEREAS, John Spring will be remembered as a true public servant, a talented artist, and a dear friend; and

WHEREAS, John Spring was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen; and his sister and brother-in-law, Julie (Bill) Blohm; and

WHEREAS, John Spring is survived by his children, Stacey (Andrew) Staff, Joshua (Cindy) Spring, and Michael (Brooke) Spring; seven grandchildren; his in-laws, Jeff (Melissa) Jansen and Diane (Joe) Fennesy; his nephew and nieces; and other relatives; 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 John A. Spring, the former Mayor of Quincy, 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 John Spring as an expression of our deepest sympathy.