SR0842 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0842 LRB104 14874 ECR 28018 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael B. Dickens, who passed away on August 6, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Michael Dickens, the first of five children of Eleanor D. Dickens, was born on October 17, 1952; he was raised in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, where he also attended Highland Park Elementary School; he graduated from De Matha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland in 1970, and he received a bachelor's degree from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois in 1974, playing football at both institutions; he married Debra Whitaker on December 29, 1973, and together they raised their children, Asha and Jabari, in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Michael Dickens worked at W.R. Grace and Company and Holy Angels Catholic School, where he left an indelible mark on his students, before retiring from AT&T in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Michael Dickens was a sports enthusiast throughout his life, and he enjoyed playing tennis, pickleball, basketball, and football; and

WHEREAS, Michael Dickens, while not a linguist, was fluent in his love language of caring for his family and home; and

WHEREAS, Michael Dickens is survived by his wife of 51 years, Debra; his children, Asha and Jabari; his mother, Eleanor Stewart; his siblings, Darius Dickens, Kevin Young, and April (Kenneth) Prophet; his nieces and nephews; his cousins; his friends; and his former coworkers; 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 Michael B. Dickens 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 Michael Dickens as an expression of our deepest sympathy.