SR0202 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0202 LRB103 31688 MST 60215 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Barbara Ballinger of Oak Park, who passed away on November 14, 2022 at the age of 97; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger was born in Miami, Oklahoma in 1925; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger started her library career with the Oklahoma City Public Library; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger received a chauffeur's license to drive a bookmobile for the Topeka Public Library following her graduation from the University of Kansas; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger earned her master's degree in library sciences at the University of Illinois and landed a job as the assistant director of Oak Park Public Library's Maze branch in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger served as director of Oak Park's library system for 32 years before retiring in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger led the Oak Park Public Library during a period of tension and change, guided by the principle that public libraries are for all; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger was seen as an outstanding public servant who committed herself to literature, education, and Oak Park history; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger is credited with spearheading the collaboration between west suburban libraries in the 1970s and 1980s that would lay the groundwork for the SWAN network that exists today, allowing for the seamless distribution of materials throughout the suburbs; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger shared a July 21 birthday with Oak Park's famous native son, Ernest Hemingway, and was a dedicated volunteer with the Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger helped create the Ernest Hemingway Foundation Archives, now housed at Oak Park's Main Library, which includes translations of many of his works as well as a check for $100 that Hemingway intended to cover any outstanding fines; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger was a voracious reader and belonged to several local book clubs over the many decades that she lived in Oak Park; she also talked many of those in her book clubs into reading books that they may have never been inclined to read normally; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger had a love for poetry, particularly by Gerard Manley Hopkins, and would joyfully open book club meetings with his poems; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger was also devoted to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as one of its longest subscribers, the Lyric Opera, particularly Wagner's monumental Ring Cycle, and the summer Ravinia Festival; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger was a recipient of the Senior Citizens' Center of Oak Park-River Forest's 2017 Ulyssean Award, which honors seniors committed to lifelong learning and who have made significant contributions to the community; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger was a vital fixture in the Oak Park community and played a leading role in the library, First United Church of Oak Park, the Doris Humphrey Society, and several other nonprofit organizations; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Ballinger will be missed by her family, many friends, and the Oak Park community who continue to benefit from the non-profit organizations she helped to thrive; 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 Barbara Ballinger 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 Barbara Ballinger as an expression of our deepest sympathy.