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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Kathryn "Kathy" Hickey-Heimlich, who 
4passed away on May 5, 2026; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich was born to Robert "Bob" 
6Hickey and Loretta Hickey on June 22, 1955; she graduated from 
7Springfield High School in 1973 and earned her bachelor's 
8degree in special education from Illinois State University in 
91977; she married Philip "Phil" Heimlich in 1979; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich served as a special 
11education and English as a second language instructor in 
12District 186, stepping away from teaching for 14 years to 
13raise her three children; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich, who had a passion for 
15serving individuals with disabilities and helping animals in 
16need, earned her master's degree in vocational rehabilitation 
17counseling from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 
182000; she started an animal-assisted therapy program that 
19inspired her graduate research on the benefits of 
20animal-assisted therapy for children with severe disabilities, 
21and her work was later published and received the Graduate 
22Literary Award; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich loved gardening and had a 
2gift for growing flowers; she always made room in her home for 
3anyone in need, rescuing dogs, cats, and even people; she 
4loved horses, and her horse, Johnny, was a cherished part of 
5her life for 23 years; watching the Triple Crown races with 
6family and friends brought her great joy; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich will be remembered for her 
8intelligence, humor, love, and passion for life; her legacy of 
9compassion for family, friends, animals, and those in need 
10will live on through all who knew her; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich was preceded in death by 
12her parents; her granddaughter, Loretta "Etta" Sloan; and her 
13brother-in-law, Kim Jones; her brother, Pat Hickey, passed 
14away several days after her death; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Kathy Hickey-Heimlich is survived by her husband 
16of 46 years, Phil; their three children, Philip "Ike" 
17(Jennifer) Heimlich, Elizabeth "Beth" Heimlich, and Kathryn 
18"Katie" (David Sloan) Heimlich; six grandchildren and an 
19honorary grandchild; her sisters, Tari Jones and Karen Schaub; 
20her brothers, Mike and John Hickey; many nieces and nephews; 
21and her longtime best friend, Suzanne Mansolilli; therefore, 
22be it
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
3Kathryn "Kathy" Hickey-Heimlich and extend our sincere 
4condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
5her; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to the family of Kathy Hickey-Heimlich as an 
8expression of our deepest sympathy.