SR1484 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1484 LRB101 23079 ECR 74209 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Barbara "Barb" Jean Adkins of Bloomington, who passed away on November 7, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Barb Adkins was born to Kaolah (Cross) and Earnest Adkins Sr. in East St. Louis on April 19, 1959; she graduated from East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School in 1977; she graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Illinois State University in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Barb Adkins worked for the City of Bloomington for 32 years, starting as a part-time police dispatcher; she became the city community relations coordinator in 1993 and the community affairs specialist in 2000; she retired in 2014, after serving eight years as the deputy city manager; in retirement, she worked as manager of the Route 66 Visitors Center at the Museum of History in Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, Barb Adkins was very involved in her community; in 1996, she helped organize the first "Not in Our Town" anti-racism march in Bloomington-Normal; she also served as a housing commissioner for the City of Bloomington Housing Authority and as an officer of the Central Illinois Chapter of The Links, an international public service organization; and

WHEREAS, Barb Adkins was a lifetime member of the NAACP; she was also a member of Loving Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, Barb Adkins received the YWCA "Woman of Distinction Award"; she was passionate about human rights and was skilled in inviting people into the discussion, offering everyone a chance to learn and an opportunity to grow; she will be remembered especially for her big heart; and

WHEREAS, Barb Adkins was preceded in death by her father; her mother; her brother, Ernest Jr.; her niece, Sheleese; and her two nephews, Marcus and Darryl; and

WHEREAS, Barb Adkins is survived by her brothers, Horace (Rene) Adkins and Michael (Wendy) Adkins; her sisters, Diane Adkins and Lucretia Wallace; her fourteen favorite nephews and nieces, Renita (Charles), Narda, Ernest, Patrick (Tru), Karvia, Naunita, LaShon (Anthony), LaToya (Darryl), Donish (Ebony), MaryLou, Zanekqua, Courtney, Bilal, and Diamon (Tre'Quan); her host of grandnieces and grandnephews and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews; and her special friends, Gwen Donnelly, Trece' Spears, Evelyn Young (C.O.F.), Rhonda Smith, Wanita Smith, Rosie Boyd-Smith, and all of her sisters of the Central Illinois Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Barbara "Barb" Jean Adkins 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 Barb Adkins as an expression of our deepest sympathy.