SR0915

LRB095 22976 GRL 53429 r






1

SENATE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS,
The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
3
learn of the death of John L. Balen of Waukegan, who passed 
4
away on October 21, 2008; and

 
5
    WHEREAS, John Balen was born in Lincoln on June 14, 1923; 
6
his parents were John and Rose Balen; and

 
7
    WHEREAS, John Balen moved with his family from Lincoln to 
8
North Chicago in 1924; he grew up in North Chicago and 
9
graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1940; and

 
10
    WHEREAS, John Balen served his nation with pride and 
11
distinction as a member of the United States Armed Forces in 
12
the South Pacific and in the Philippines during World War II; 
13
and
 
14
    WHEREAS, John Balen was employed by US-Steel in Waukegan 
15
for 40 years before the plant closed; he also served as 
16
President of the Local Steelworkers Union 1115; he began his 
17
political career in North Chicago as a member of the Foss Park 
18
District Board from 1948 to 1954 and as a member of the North 
19
Chicago City Council from 1949 to 1951; he continued his 
20
lifetime of public service until his passing; and

 
 


 






SR0915
- 2 -
LRB095 22976 GRL 53429 r




1
    WHEREAS, John Balen was a member of Holy Family Church in 
2
Waukegan and the Waukegan Knights of Columbus Council 731; he 
3
served as a North Chicago Alderman from 1949 to 1951, a Foss 
4
Park Board member from 1948 to 1954, a Waukegan Alderman from 
5
1995 until his passing, a member of the Waukegan School Board 
6
from 1993 to 1995, a Waukegan Township Supervisor from 1961 to 
7
1965, a member of the Lake County Board of Supervisors from 
8
1961 to 1965 and from 1972 to 1990, and a Lake County Board 
9
Chairman from 1974 to 1976; he was also a member of the St. 
10
Bartholomew Seniors Club, a past President of the US 
11
Steelworkers Union and President of Steelworkers Retiree Club, 
12
a member of Waukegan/North Chicago Seniors Club, a volunteer 
13
for the Waukegan Township Seniors Club, and a member of the 
14
Croatian Fraternal Union, Local Chapter; and

 
15
    WHEREAS, John Balen enjoyed bowling, golf, and baseball; he 
16
played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals after 
17
World War II and was a life long Chicago Cubs fan; and

 
18
    WHEREAS, John Balen was preceded in death by his parents; 
19
his brothers, Steve, Nicholas, and Michael Balen; and his 
20
sisters, Martha Plier, Mary Slezak, and Jane Wright; and

 
21
    WHEREAS, John Balen is survived by his wife of 58 years, 
22
Helen; his daughters, Rochelle (Thomas) Talley and Cheryl 
23
(David) Kelly; his son, John V. (Norma) Balen; his 
 


 






SR0915
- 3 -
LRB095 22976 GRL 53429 r




1
grandchildren, John, Lauren, Allyson, and Elena Kelly, and John 
2
A. and Danielle Balen; his brother, Matthew Balen; his sister, 
3
Rosemary Ress; and his many nieces and nephews; and

 
4
    WHEREAS, John Balen will be remembered by all who knew and 
5
loved him as a devoted and loving husband, father, and 
6
grandfather, as well as an effective advocate of the "little 
7
guy" who believed in the basic goodness of everyone; therefore, 
8
be it

 
9
    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
10
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
11
his family and friends, the passing of John L. Balen; and be it 
12
further

 
13
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
14
presented to the family of John L. Balen as an expression of 
15
our sympathy.