SR0220 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0220 LRB104 13118 MST 25222 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Tomislav "Tom" Ilich of Lisle, who passed away on January 1, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Tom Ilich was born on September 6, 1960 and grew up in Brookfield, where he attended Riverside-Brookfield High School and maintained a lifelong devotion to the Bulldogs; he met his future bride, Mary McGovern, at Waldo Peepers in Stickney in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Tom Ilich had a long career with Jewel and then owned and operated McGil Services for the past 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Tom Ilich had lifetime love of sports; when he was a child, he was part of the Brookfield Little League team that won the prestigious Roy A. Overholt Boys Little League Tournament; he was a loyal fan of the Cubs, Blackhawks, Bears, Notre Dame, Ohio State, University of Dayton, Marquette University, and Montini Bronco; in his 20s, he recruited a softball team, the Hi Flyers, leading them to numerous victories; and

WHEREAS, Tom Ilich loved live music and supported many of the local suburban bands; he enjoyed listening to REO Speedwagon, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp, and others but was a loyal member of the Parrotheads, traveling all across the country to see Jimmy Buffet in concert a total of 36 times; and

WHEREAS, Tom Ilich loved traveling with Mary and his family to Key West, Clearwater, Marco Island, and Abbey Springs in Lake Geneva, where he could enjoy water, music, and beverages; he often shared memories about visiting his family's homeland, Serbia, and then traveling to Sarajevo for the 1984 Winter Olympics; and

WHEREAS, Tom Ilich was the beloved husband of Mary (McGovern); the loving father of Robert (Cathleen Reibel), Kathleen (Alex) Falconio, Patricia, and Thomas; the cherished grandfather "G" of Paisley Mae; the devoted son of Dusanka and the late Bora Ilich; the dearest brother of Nada (Mark) Bobrowski; the dear brother-in-law of several; and the fond uncle and cousin to many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Tomislav "Tom" Ilich 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 Ilich as an expression of our deepest sympathy.