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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Eric Jakobsson of Urbana, who passed
4away on October 28, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson earned a Bachelor of Arts from
6Columbia College in 1959, a Bachelor of Science in Chemical
7Engineering from the Columbia University School of Engineering
8in 1960, and a Ph.D. in Physics from Dartmouth in 1969; he did
9postdoctoral work with the Department of Physiology at Case
10Western Reserve University School of Medicine from 1969
11through 1971; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson began a 50 year association with
13the University of Illinois in 1971; his list of educational
14and career accomplishments is long and rich; he served as a
15professor of biochemistry, molecular and integrative
16physiology, biophysics and computational biology,
17bioengineering, and neuroscience; his main area of research
18was in studying microscopic cells, especially nerve cells
19called ion channels that allow chemicals to go in and out of
20nerve cells; a valued collaborator with a far-ranging
21intellect and a probing mind, he saw excitement and potential
22in everything and was generous in his encouragement of others;
23and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson was appointed to the Urbana City
2Council in 2010; he was later elected alderman of Ward 2, which
3covers much of the area west of downtown, and served until he
4resigned in June of 2020; he was also a representative of the
5public arts and culture commission, the Urbana Free Library
6board, and the traffic commission; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson was active in politics, the
8McKinley Presbyterian Church, and many community
9organizations; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson loved his family dearly; he and
11his wife wanted a big family and opened their home to fostering
12children; they eventually adopted six more children; he will
13be remembered as a devoted husband and father, a brilliant
14scientist and mentor, a political bridge-builder, and all
15around nice guy; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson was preceded in death by his son,
17Garret; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Eric Jakobsson is survived by his wife of 58
19years, Naomi; and seven children; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL

 

 

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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
2Eric Jakobsson and extend our sincere condolences to his
3family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
4further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Eric Jakobsson as an expression of
7our deepest sympathy.