SR0974 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0974 LRB103 40489 ECR 72899 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael "Mike" Perricone, of Riverside who passed away on December 9, 2023 at the age of 72; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 26, 1950; he attended Brooklyn Technical High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he developed his interest in science, engineering, and writing; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone spent his early career in journalism in Troy and Albany, New York; he later moved to Chicago, where he began covering the Chicago Blackhawks for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone covered more than 1,200 National Hockey League (NHL) games over 12 years; while traveling the country with the Blackhawks, he developed close connections with players and coaches, who appreciated his passion for the team; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone was well-respected and appreciated by his peers in journalism; he encouraged and supported new reporters at the Chicago Sun-Times and developed friendships with fellow reporters from rival papers; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone met his wife, Joan Vanderbeck, when responding to a personal ad in Chicago Magazine with a list of his favorite books in 1986; they connected instantly upon their first meeting for a date at the Music Box Theatre, marrying just 14 months later; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone left his position covering professional hockey to take care of his daughter, Jenny, in 1989; he turned his experiences as a stay-at-home father into his column "Jenny's Dad" for the Chicago Sun-Times; he later compiled these columns into his book titled "From Deadlines to Diapers: Journal of an At-Home Father", for which he made an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone returned to his career in writing, and interest in science, as a member of the communications staff at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia; he worked at Fermilab for nearly 10 years as a senior writer and science editor; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone helped launch Symmetry Magazine in 2004, serving as executive editor and sharing his favorite books on particle physics and astrophysics; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone loved sharing his knowledge of science and physics with others; he authored "The Big Bang" to connect an audience of young adults to the origins of the universe; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone continued writing after his retirement, working on a book for young adults, titled "Caged", about a star high school hockey player struggling with depression; and

WHEREAS, Mike Perricone is survived by his wife, Joan Vanderbeck, and his daughter, Jenny Perricone; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Michael "Mike" Perricone 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 Mike Perricone as an expression of our deepest sympathy.