HR0741 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0741 LRB099 14140 MST 38181 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives 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, Sr. was born in Chicago on June 4, 1945 to Edward Caldwell and Pauline Pruitt Banks; he graduated 2 years early from Harlan High School, where he received accolades and awards in basketball and track and set a Chicago city record in the long jump, a record that remained untouched for decades; he attended Bradley University on an athletic scholarship, where he joined the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Education; while a student at Bradley University, he led a group of students on a march down Main Street to call attention to discrimination in housing; he married Stephanie Jones Banks; he later married Joyce King Banks; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. joined the professional staff of Bradley University; during his tenure there, he served in several capacities, including being 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 founder of the Black Studies and Cultural Arts Center; he founded Music with A Message, Peoria's first minority news and information and entertainment radio broadcast (1968-1993); and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. traveled extensively on the African Continent as a fundraiser for African Independence Groups associated with Nelson Mandela; he served as Executive Director of Peoria's Citizen's Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc., a position he held for nearly 20 years; under his leadership, the following programs were initiated: 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; during his tenure as Executive Director of PCCEO, Inc., he also started a 40 acre farm co-op that once served 100 families; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. served as President at 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; he played an integral role in establishing the first black owned and operated radio station in Peoria, WBGE 92.3FM; he served as general manager of B&G Broadcasting until 2000; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. relocated to Chicago, his home town, in 2001; he founded and served as President/CEO of MEBA LLC., a consultant firm for non-profit organizations; he served as a consultant to the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.'s planning department until his retirement in 2012; he started an Internet radio broadcast, "Mr. B's Showcase", once again using the theme Music with a Message; and

WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. married Noel Stewart Banks on April 19, 2013; and

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

WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. is survived by his wife, Noel; his son, Michael Banks, Jr.; his daughter, Ebony Banks (Emorej) Henderson and a precious grandson, Elisha A. Henderson; his brother, Phillip Banks; his 3 sisters, Rita Jackson, Patricia Hodges, and Lori Jackson; his uncle, Wilfred (Betty) Banks; and a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, loving cousins, and very special friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Michael Edward Banks, Sr., 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 Michael Banks, Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.