SR0576 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0576 LRB104 19339 LAW 32786 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John William Coultas of Peoria, who passed away on December 28, 2025; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas, the son of Bill and Jane Coultas, was born on August 24, 1971; and

WHEREAS, As a child, John Coultas loved exploring in nature, looking for eagle nests, playing soccer, skateboarding, playing hacky sack, riding in the back of his grandfather's red pickup truck, and playing Little League; and

WHEREAS, In his teenage years, mischievous and undeniably charismatic, John Coultas filled his days with music, laughter, friends, and ripping donuts in the snow with his little sisters in the red pickup truck that had become his prized possession; and

WHEREAS, After high school, John Coultas attended Parkland College before transferring to and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was named a Gaylord Nelson Scholar; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas especially enjoyed listening to the music of the Grateful Dead, spending countless hours following the band's tours across the country; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas loved few things more than his annual trip to Florida with his father, traipsing about the entire state to visit family and friends and always spending at least three days at his favorite place in the world, Miami Beach; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas never met a Monical's Pizza, Starbucks coffee drink, or sweet treat that he did not like, and he was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Green Bay Packers; and

WHEREAS, Despite suffering a life-altering traumatic brain injury early in his adult life, John Coultas never lost his joy and tenacity for life, and he never stopped laughing and treating everyone he met with kindness and love; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas loved his family fiercely and unconditionally, which was matched by their love for him and shown through their steadfast dedication and heartfelt care; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas was an old soul, with a genuine smile and a hearty laugh, who made friends with everyone he encountered, and he will be remembered for the joy, courage, love, and kindness that he exuded into the world; and

WHEREAS, John Coultas is survived by his parents; his sisters, Martha Coultas and Emily (Caleb) Miller; his nephew and nieces, Charlie, Etta, and Poppy Miller; and countless family and friends; 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 John William Coultas 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 Coultas as an expression of our deepest sympathy.