SR0066 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0066 LRB094 10765 CSA 41287 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois wish to congratulate Senator Denny Jacobs of East Moline on his service to the people of the 36th District; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs served as Minority Spokesperson of the Transportation Committee (88th GA), Local Government and Elections (90th GA), Insurance (90th GA), and Insurance and Pensions (91st and 92nd GA); he served as Vice-Chair of Finance and Credit Regulations (85th and 86th GA), Chairman of the Labor Committee (86th GA), Finance & Credit Regulations (87th GA), and Insurance & Pensions Committee (93rd GA); and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs has devoted decades of his life to making life better for the people in his area and the entire State of Illinois and leaves a great legacy in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs has always been one to let people know what he was thinking and whether or not he disagreed with them; he also has always tried to find common ground and bring all sides together for a common resolve; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacob's efforts on behalf of economic development have been many and have made a positive impact on his region and the entire State; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs was a major force behind the creation of riverboat gambling which has generated over $35 million for the City of Rock Island and more than $8.8 billion for the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs will always be fondly remembered as the Father of Riverboat Gambling; he has also been responsible for many other important initiatives, such as the creation of a statewide 9-1-1 system allowing every county in Illinois to set up the emergency system to save countless lives; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs fought for approval of over $40 million for the construction of the new Veteran's Memorial Bridge at Carr's Crossing connecting Milan and Moline and making it possible for that area to grow in population, business, and employment; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs is responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars of economic development, infrastructure, and education dollars for his region, resulting in better job opportunities and improved lives for many of his constituents; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs could often be counted on to rise and offer the most insightful contributions to many debates, a motion for the previous question; and

WHEREAS, Public service is a quality that Senator Jacobs, the former Mayor of East Moline, and his brother, Don, who was the Rock Island County Auditor and is a county board member, learned from their father, Oral "Jake" Jacobs, who served five terms in the Illinois House; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs and Mary Ellen, his wife of nearly 50 years, have instilled that quality in their children; and

WHEREAS, Senator Jacobs and his wife have two sons, Mike and J.P., and four daughters, Tori, Patti, Dee Dee, and Liz; they have 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that Senator Jacobs leaves us with many great memories of the times he shared with us and we wish him and his family good health and happiness in what is surely to be a busy retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Senator Denny Jacobs as an expression of our esteem and respect for our colleague and friend.