HR0699 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0699 LRB097 16717 GRL 61891 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to thank Kate Francis for her work as President and Managing Director of the Orpheum Theatre in Galesburg; and

WHEREAS, Kate Francis earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy from Monmouth College in May of 1992; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her work at the Orpheum Theatre, Kate Francis was employed as Assistant to the Vice President for External Affairs at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (2001-2002), Campaign Manager at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (2002-2003), Director of Development at the Arizona Opera in Tucson, Arizona (2003-2006), and College Advancement Officer at Monmouth College (2006-2007); and

WHEREAS, Kate Francis has served as President and Managing Director of the Orpheum Theatre since April of 2007; in this capacity, she oversaw all venue, administrative, programming, contract, and box office operations for the historic 950-seat performing arts and civic facility; during her tenure, the theatre has reached unprecedented heights of growth and prosperity; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Kate Francis, the Orpheum Theatre posted positive, profitable operating budgets in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 and increased overall contributed income by 359% between 2007 and 2010; she was also instrumental in increasing the theatre's facility rental income by 200% between 2007 and 2010 and increased ticket revenue by 7% between 2007 and 2010; and

WHEREAS, During Kate Francis' tenure, the Grow Orpheum Theatre Lights! Camera! Learn! education/outreach program grew from a 2007 attendance of 1,211 to a 2010 attendance of 6,688, a 552% increase; she also helped initiate the theatre's ARTS4ALL program, which provides complimentary Red Carpet Series tickets to underserved, socio-economically challenged members of the community; and

WHEREAS, Kate Francis has been a member of numerous community organizations, including the Galesburg 175th Anniversary Planning Commission and the Illinois Main Street Annual Awards Conference's Local Planning Committee (2011), the Galesburg Christian School Publicity Committee (2010-present), the Illinois Arts Council's Presenting Program Advisory Panel (2009-present), the Galesburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Galesburg Noon Lion's Club (2008-present), the Kappa Kappa Gamma Stewart House Museum Advisory Committee (2008-present), the Downtown Galesburg Revitalization Study Advisory Council (2009), the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce (2007-present), the Galesburg Regional Economic Development Association's Business Retention Task Force (2008-2009), and the Western Illinois Economic Development Partnership (2006-2007); and

WHEREAS, Kate Francis serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Kate Francis for her work as President and Managing Director of the Orpheum Theatre and wish her continued success and happiness in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Kate Francis as a symbol of our esteem and respect.