SR1049 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1049 LRB102 26913 LAW 38056 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Judith Jo "Judy" Whitaker of Granite City, who passed away on January 13, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Judy Whitaker was born to Samuel B. and Josephine H. (Majetic) Georgeff in Granite City on November 22, 1940; she was raised in Madison and was a resident of Granite City for the majority of her life; she married Walter L. Whitaker in Granite City on December 2, 1961, and he preceded her in death on January 2, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Judy Whitaker was appointed city clerk of Granite City by then-Mayor Ron Selph in 1994; she was elected in 1994 and served in that position until her retirement on May 1, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Prior to being elected city clerk, Judy Whitaker was elected and served as alderman for the 6th Ward from 1984 to 1994, where she served as chairman of the Sanitation, Pollution Control, Insurance, Dare, Past Beautification Program, Street & Alley, Police, and Fire, Water & Ambulance Committees; along with a committee of civic leaders, she spearheaded and re-established Santa's Cabin in 1996; she began the Santa's Holiday Avenue Parade in Granite City in 1997; she was also instrumental in reinstating the Neighborhood Watch Program for the entire city; and

WHEREAS, Judy Whitaker served the City of Granite City in one capacity or another for five decades, starting as a precinct committeeman in 1974 and continuing in that capacity until her passing; during her tenure as a precinct committeeman, she also served as a Democratic State Committee Woman; and

WHEREAS, Judy Whitaker was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the Ladies Eagle Auxiliary #126, the Ladies Elkettes, and the Madison County Police Association; she was a humanitarian of the Madison County Humane Society; she loved animals and cherished her pets; she enjoyed fishing and traveling and will be remembered for the love and special times shared with her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Judy Whitaker was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 57 years, Walter L. Whitaker; and

WHEREAS, Judy Whitaker is survived by her daughter, Kristy J. (Paul) Bassler; her son, Mark Whitaker; her grandchildren, Hunter (Jessica) Bassler and Samantha Bassler; her brother, Sam (Georganne) Georgeff; her nephew, Michael (Lana) Georgeff; her niece, Bethany Georgeff; her great-nephew, Brendan Georgeff; her other extended family members; and her many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Judith Jo "Judy" Whitaker 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 Judy Whitaker as an expression of our deepest sympathy.