SR0098 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0098 LRB099 07663 MST 27795 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James H. "Jimmy" Binkley of Peoria, who passed away on January 26, 2015; and

WHEREAS, James Binkley was born in Chicago on March 1, 1923 to Carol and Mary Binkley; he married Sandra S. Hatfield in Springfield on November 26, 1979; and

WHEREAS, James Binkley started playing music professionally at the age of 17 with a jazz combo called Jimmy Binkley & The Blue Notes and toured through small Midwestern clubs; he started playing regularly for Collins Corner in downtown Peoria and eventually became a fixture at Jumer's Castle Lodge and other spots, before settling at Sky Harbor; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, James Binkley was honored with "Happy Jimmy Binkley Day: A Musical Tribute to Peoria's Legendary Jazzman" and he received proclamations from the City of West Peoria and the Peoria County Board; in 2014, he was the first African-American in 125 years to be Grand Marshall in the Peoria Santa Claus Parade; and

WHEREAS, James Binkley was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carliss; and

WHEREAS, James Binkley is survived by his wife, Sandra; his son, Jimmy Binkley, Jr.; his step-daughters, DaVonne "Devo" (Brett) Pierce, Dianne "Bunny" (fiance Ty Harbourn) Knollenberg, and Debbie (Joey Marsh) Wennmacher; his step-son, Darren (Kim) Wennmacher; his many grandchildren; his many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James H. "Jimmy" Binkley, and 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 James Binkley as an expression of our deepest sympathy.