SR0151 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0151 LRB098 11335 MST 42767 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Judge Eugene Michael O'Brien of Peoria, who passed away on March 1, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien was born on November 22, 1930, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, to Evelyn (Hitt) and Eugene O'Brien; he married Terry Reynolds on July 28, 1979; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien entered the U.S. Navy flight training program in 1953 and served until 1958, attaining the rank of Lt. Commander; he then entered the U.S. Navy Reserve flying program and served as LTJG of Patrol Squadron Six, VP-Blue Sharks during the Korean War; during his service he received a Navy Commendation, the China Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien graduated from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1961; he worked as assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois from 1961 until 1964, with the U.S. District Attorney's office until 1966, and as assistant state's attorney for the State of Illinois from 1966 until 1969; he was elected mayor of Peoria in 1969 and served until 1973; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien returned to private practice in Peoria until 1990 when he was appointed to an associate judgeship for the 10th Judicial Circuit; he retired in 2001; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien was a founding member of the Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP); he served on the board of directors and as president for LAP, offering aid and assistance to both lawyers and judges troubled by substance abuse; he was a founding board member of the Proctor Chemical Center; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend; he loved spending time with his dogs, fishing, and watching Notre Dame football; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister; and

WHEREAS, Judge O'Brien is survived by his wife, Terry; his children, Mary (Rich) Washelesky, Michelle (Charlie) Middleton, Erin (Tom) Maloney, Conor O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Matt (Jennifer) O'Brien, Dr. Amy O'Brien-Ladner, Kathryn O'Brien, Bridget Moreland, and Mary Adams; his 25 grandchildren; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Victor and Lucille Reynolds; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Judge E. Michael O'Brien, and we 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 Judge O'Brien as an expression of our deepest sympathy.