SR1341 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1341 LRB103 43647 LAW 76995 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of the Honorable John A. Gorman of Washington, who passed away on December 14, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Judge Gorman was born to John E. and Lorene Slagell Gorman in Lincoln on May 5, 1942; he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University, where he served as president of Sigma Chi Fraternity; he married Susan Williams in Fairbury on June 28, 1964, and they moved to Washington in 1967; he later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Judge Gorman's legal career began at Goldsworthy and Fifield, where he eventually became a partner; he was appointed as an Associate Judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in 1979; he was appointed as a Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court, and he was elected to that position in November 1982; he was then appointed as an Appellate Justice of the Third District Appellate Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1990; he resumed services as a Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in December 1992, where he served as Chief from 1994 to 1998; he was sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of Illinois of the U.S. District Court in February 2000, and he retired from the federal bench on February 28, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Judge Gorman was highly regarded for his legal acumen, his way with people, and his ability to resolve problems, and he used his attributes to affect positive change; he helped spearhead the construction of the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center; he also introduced the concept of an intensive, treatment-based program for nonviolent, first-time drug offenders in the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court and the federal system; he was an integral part of judicial education formally and informally, and he helped countless individuals in the legal profession with addiction; and

WHEREAS, Judge Gorman was known for his intelligence, his generosity, his way with words, his love of golf, and his hearty sense of humor; he was a loyal friend, and his love for family was evident in everything he did; and

WHEREAS, Judge Gorman was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Judge Gorman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susan; his daughters, Kate Gorman, Kristen (Todd) Jones, and Kerry Gorman; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his uncles, Harvey (John) and Leroy; his sister, Mary (Roger) Rapp; his brother-in-law, Ray (Ann) Williams; and his nieces and nephews; 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 the Honorable John A. Gorman 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 Judge Gorman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.