SR0915 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0915 LRB095 22976 GRL 53429 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John L. Balen of Waukegan, who passed away on October 21, 2008; and

WHEREAS, John Balen was born in Lincoln on June 14, 1923; his parents were John and Rose Balen; and

WHEREAS, John Balen moved with his family from Lincoln to North Chicago in 1924; he grew up in North Chicago and graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1940; and

WHEREAS, John Balen served his nation with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Armed Forces in the South Pacific and in the Philippines during World War II; and

WHEREAS, John Balen was employed by US-Steel in Waukegan for 40 years before the plant closed; he also served as President of the Local Steelworkers Union 1115; he began his political career in North Chicago as a member of the Foss Park District Board from 1948 to 1954 and as a member of the North Chicago City Council from 1949 to 1951; he continued his lifetime of public service until his passing; and

WHEREAS, John Balen was a member of Holy Family Church in Waukegan and the Waukegan Knights of Columbus Council 731; he served as a North Chicago Alderman from 1949 to 1951, a Foss Park Board member from 1948 to 1954, a Waukegan Alderman from 1995 until his passing, a member of the Waukegan School Board from 1993 to 1995, a Waukegan Township Supervisor from 1961 to 1965, a member of the Lake County Board of Supervisors from 1961 to 1965 and from 1972 to 1990, and a Lake County Board Chairman from 1974 to 1976; he was also a member of the St. Bartholomew Seniors Club, a past President of the US Steelworkers Union and President of Steelworkers Retiree Club, a member of Waukegan/North Chicago Seniors Club, a volunteer for the Waukegan Township Seniors Club, and a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Local Chapter; and

WHEREAS, John Balen enjoyed bowling, golf, and baseball; he played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals after World War II and was a life long Chicago Cubs fan; and

WHEREAS, John Balen was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Steve, Nicholas, and Michael Balen; and his sisters, Martha Plier, Mary Slezak, and Jane Wright; and

WHEREAS, John Balen is survived by his wife of 58 years, Helen; his daughters, Rochelle (Thomas) Talley and Cheryl (David) Kelly; his son, John V. (Norma) Balen; his grandchildren, John, Lauren, Allyson, and Elena Kelly, and John A. and Danielle Balen; his brother, Matthew Balen; his sister, Rosemary Ress; and his many nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, John Balen will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, as well as an effective advocate of the "little guy" who believed in the basic goodness of everyone; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John L. Balen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John L. Balen as an expression of our sympathy.