SR0481 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0481 LRB097 15499 GRL 60616 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph T. Brown of Rantoul, who passed away on December 5, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown was born on March 20, 1937, in Urbana; he was the son of James and Alta (Head) Brown; he married Sara Mae Hettinger on January 28, 1967, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown was raised on a farm near Penfield; he was a 1955 graduate of Rantoul Township High School; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown began his law enforcement career in Rantoul in 1959 as a patrolman; after serving in the United States Army for 2 years, he returned to the Rantoul Police Department; in 1965, he began his service with the Champaign County Sheriff's Office as deputy sheriff; he later ascended to the ranks of chief investigator and chief deputy; in 1978, he was elected to serve as Sheriff of Champaign County; he retired from that position in 1990 after 3 terms in office; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, Joseph Brown worked for the Illinois Secretary of State for 9 years; in 2003, he began working for Champaign County as the county's public administrator/guardian; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown served as a village trustee for 4 years; he served as mayor of Rantoul from 1997 to 2001; he also served on the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, the Illinois Lottery Board, and was a past president of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown was a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church and a fourth-degree knight with the Rantoul Knights of Columbus; he was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gerald Brown; and his sister, Mary (Brown) McCormick; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Brown is survived by his wife; his sons, John (Margaret) Brown, Anthony (Beth) Brown, Michael Brown, and Patrick (Toni) Brown; his brothers, James Brown, Gene (Mary Al) Brown, and Phil (Doris); his sisters, Ann (Cal) Miller and Judy (Max) Franks; his sister-in-law, Shirley Brown; and his grandchildren, Tyler, Ashley, Andrew, Sydney, Justin, Evan, and Elena; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Joseph T. Brown; and be it further

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