SR0515 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0515 LRB101 12828 ALS 61663 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Steven "Steve" Sonnemaker of West Peoria, who passed away on June 14, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Steve Sonnemaker was born in Pekin on June 30 1952; and

WHEREAS, Steve Sonnemaker served Peoria County faithfully for 38 years; he was elected Peoria County Clerk in 2006, a position he held at the time of his passing; he previously served as Peoria County Auditor from 1984 until 2006 and as a County Board member from 1980 until 1984; prior to his election as County Auditor, he worked as a cemetery auditor with the Office of the Comptroller; and

WHEREAS, Steve Sonnemaker served as a Member of the Hollis Park Board and as a Timber-Hollis Volunteer Firefighter; and

WHEREAS, Steve Sonnemaker was president of the Illinois Association of County Auditors, president of the Illinois Association of County Officials, chairman of the World Wars 1 and II Veterans Memorial Committee, where he played a role in the dedication of the memorial in 2007, and chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee, where he played a role in honoring the fallen since the Korean War and the dedication of the memorial in 2018; he served as a board trustee of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF); he was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Friends of Fatherless Boys, the Salvation Army, and the Southside Mission; currently, he served on the American Gold Star Families Board of Directors; he served Peoria County with honor and distinction; he will be remembered as a great friend who was passionate about honoring America's veterans; and

WHEREAS, Steve Sonnemaker was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Francis and Laura Sonnemaker; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Steven "Steve" Sonnemaker 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 Steve Sonnemaker as an expression of our deepest sympathy.