SR1251 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1251 LRB103 43081 MST 76336 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jann Alberta Mae Beauchamp, who passed away on October 18, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was born to Albert Alexander and Cornelia Mae Cox in Chicago on December 7, 1931; she graduated from Grant Elementary School in Chicago and her family moved to Maywood in 1945; she graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1949 and attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier; she married James A. Beauchamp on October 16, 1954; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was devoted to her faith; she joined Canaan AME Church in Maywood and was baptized in December 1946; her family joined St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Forest Park in 1969, where she was a member for 55 years and served in various roles; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp returned to college as a wife and mother; she received her associate degree from Triton College and her Bachelor of Arts from Rosary College, known today as Dominican University; after earning her Master of Business Administration from Rosary College, she used her training and skill set to give back to the community; she worked at Dominican University in River Forest as an administrative assistant to its presidents, Sister Candida Lund and Sister Jean Murray, from June 1972 to August 1983; she then served as an adjunct faculty member at Triton College from 1985 until 2002; at the Triton Resource Center, she helped train students as registered nurses and court reporters and in other disciplines; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was elected to the Proviso Family Service and Mental Health Board in Melrose Park, where she served from 1977 to 1998; she was appointed as an alternate board member by St. John Lutheran Church, and she served on the board of directors of Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park from 1977 to 1981; she won her first general election as a school board member of Proviso Township High School District 209 in 1991; that same year, she was elected as a trustee for the Village of Bellwood, where she served from 1995 to 2003; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was a forerunner and a trailblazer; she was charter member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was the recipient of numerous accolades, acknowledgments, and awards, including receiving the Marquis Who's Who in America Award as an educator and information scientist twice in her 90s; she was also recognized and honored in many local and national newspapers, journals, and books; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was an avid golfer and reader, and she was a patron of the fine arts and performing arts; she retained her drive for knowledge in her later years through taking community classes, attending performances, and researching her family genealogy; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, James; her parents; and her siblings, Melville Carr, Laura Jackson, Charlotte Wheeler, Alice McNeal, Elaine Sampson, and Albert Cox Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Jann Beauchamp is survived by her children, David Beauchamp, Carol Beauchamp Randolph, and Elaine Beauchamp-Prospers; her grandchildren, Calvin Randolph Jr., Cristen (Dirk) Blanchard, Alan Beauchamp, Mallory Beauchamp, Corey Harris, Amador (Juliet) Porras, Courtney Harris, Isabella Porras, and Zoe Porras; and her great-grandchildren, Dexter Harris, Zepplin Porras, and Demi Harris; 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 Jann Alberta Mae Beauchamp and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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