SR0975 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0975 LRB099 14296 GRL 38380 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael Edward Banks, Sr. of Chicago, who passed away on August 25, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks was born on June 4, 1945 in Chicago; his parents were Edward Caldwell Banks and Pauline Pruitt Banks; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks attended Chicago Public Schools, where he distinguished himself as an athlete and a scholar by graduating 2 years early from Harlan High School and receiving accolades and awards in basketball and track; he set a city of Chicago record in the long jump, a record that remained untouched for decades; his prowess in track earned him a dinner with Olympian Jessie Owens, which was an evening he never forgot; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks attended Bradley University on an athletic scholarship and joined the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Education and joined the professional staff of Bradley University; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure at Bradley University, Michael Banks served in several capacities; he was responsible for the Men's Residence Halls, Fraternity Affairs, and Minority Student Affairs; he served as Assistant Dean of Men and Assistant to the Dean of Students; he was the founder of the Black Studies and Cultural Arts Center while serving as Assistant Dean of Students; he also founded Music with A Message, Peoria's first minority news, information, and entertainment radio broadcast, which ran from 1968 to 1993; and

WHEREAS, While at Bradley University, Michael Banks' passion for social and economic justice took wings; he led a group of students on a march down Main Street to call attention to discrimination in housing; he also traveled extensively on the African continent in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, and Liberia as a fundraiser for African Independence Groups associated with Nelson Mandela; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks served as the Executive Director of Peoria's Citizen's Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc., a position he held for nearly 20 years; under his leadership, many programs were initiated, including Webster Head Start, day care services, kindergarten, before and after school latch-key programming, alcohol rehabilitation services, a Senior Drop In Center, neighborhood outreach centers, information and referral services, radio and television programming, weatherization and housing rehabilitation services, and a food service operation; he initiated Community Economic Development projects for PCCEO, Inc. and formed the Peoria Economic Development Association, a local SBA development corporation; he started a 40-acre farm co-op that once served 100 families; he also served as President of the National Center for Community Action and as president of the Illinois Community Action Association; he was recognized by his peers for his strong leadership skills and effective management style; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks played an integral role in establishing the first black owned and operated radio station in Peoria, WBGE 92.3 FM; he also served as General Manager of B&G Broadcasting, one of 250 black owned and operated broadcasting companies in the country, until the sale of the station in 2000; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Michael Banks relocated to Chicago, where he founded and served as President and CEO of MEBA LLC, a consultant firm for non-profit organizations; in this capacity, he served as a consultant to the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.'s planning department until his retirement in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks is survived by his wife, Noel Stewart Banks; 2 children, Michael Banks, Jr. and Ebony Banks (Emorej) Henderson; a grandson, Elisha A. Henderson; a brother, Phillip Banks; 3 sisters, Rita Jackson, Patricia Hodges, and Lori Jackson; an uncle, Wilfred (Betty) Banks; and his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Michael Edward Banks, Sr.; and be it further

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