SR0545 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0545 LRB104 16826 ECR 30235 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joy Erlichman Miller of Nokomis, Florida, who passed away on December 6, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller was born to Harry and Dee (Kahn) Erlichman in Peoria on December 8, 1950; she attended Richwoods High School; she studied education at Southern Illinois University, and she received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Bradley University; she later received her Ph.D. with research focused on coping strategies of female holocaust survivors from Walden University; she married John Miller on October 17, 1976; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller taught at St. Philomena School and in Illini Bluffs School District #327, where she also became a school counselor; she practiced as a licensed clinical professional counselor and as a certified master addictions counsel for nearly 50 years, including opening her own practice, Joy Miller & Associates; after retiring from seeing clients, she founded Resiliency Productions, where she hosted the annual Resiliency and Happiness conference; she also served as a faculty member at Walden University and later at Bradley University; and

WHEREAS; Joy Erlichman Miller wrote eight books focusing on relationships, women's issues, and holocaust studies; she hosted a weekly radio show and later a weekly mental health television segment that ran for 25 years on WMBD and WEEK-TV; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller created the Peoria Holocaust Memorial, and she chaired the Button Project, which collected 11 million buttons to honor the 11 millions holocaust victims; she also served as the promoter, partner, and owner of the Peoria Women's Lifestyle Show for 24 years; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller appeared on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show, the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Jenny Jones Show, the Montel Williams Show, and the Geraldo Rivera Show; her works have been featured in various national magazines and over 30 newspapers around the United States; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller enjoyed traveling and collecting; her greatest passion was photography, and she loved to shoot pictures of nature, flowers, and especially birds; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller had an incredible ability to engage with those around her, connecting with people on a deep and authentic level; she was happiest when spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Joy Erlichman Miller is survived by her husband of 45 years, John; her son, Josh Miller; her daughter-in-law, Kelly (Katkowski) Miller; and two grandchildren; 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 Joy Erlichman Miller and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joy Erlichman Miller as an expression of our deepest sympathy.