SR0222 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0222 LRB097 11868 GRL 55261 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Clinton Craig Atkins of Naples, Florida, formerly of Champaign, who passed away on April 24, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins was born on June 12, 1945, in Sewickley, Pennsylvania; he was the son of Clinton Paul and Maxine Long Atkins; he married Susan A. Stitt on November 2, 1963; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins received his high school diploma from Champaign Central High School in 1963; he subsequently attended the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins began working at The News-Gazette in Champaign in 1964 in the circulation department; he enjoyed working with the youth of the community and the departments to get the paper out on time; after retiring at the age of 30, he had acquired several properties in Champaign and the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins returned to work in 1981, when he acquired the Westgate Apartments and the chain of liquor stores in the Twin Cities; he subsequently acquired Tower Hobbies, Herr's, Great Plains, numerous warehouses, and other real estate; he was also the co-founder of the Plastic Container Corporation; in the 1990s, he developed North Prospect Avenue, including Baytowne Apartments, the Square, and the Shoppes; ten years later, he developed the Stone Creek Golf Course, Subdivision, Commons, and Shoppes in southeast Urbana; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins' desire was to make Champaign-Urbana the best it could be through creating jobs, providing housing, philanthropy through various charities, and promoting the arts, education, and athletics at the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton Paul and Maxine L. Atkins; his grandson, Zane; and his nephew, Clinton Paul; and

WHEREAS, Clinton Atkins is survived by his loving wife, Susie; his children, Suzette (Michael) Hogan, C. Todd (Julia) Atkins, and Spencer (Tracy) Atkins; his grandchildren, Amber (Travis) Geralds, Kathryne, Emily, Nolan, Alexis, Spencer Von, Olivia, Victoria, Isabella, and George; his brother, Vincent (Inge) Atkins; his sister, Mary (Ivan) Hassinger; his sister-in-law, Donna Harris; and his many loving nieces and nephews and their families; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the death of Clinton Craig Atkins; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Clinton Atkins as an expression of our sympathy.