Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0366

SR0366 LRB104 14090 LAW 27222 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Brian Joseph Meginnes of Peoria, who passed away on June 6, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes was born on April 17, 1953; he spent his childhood in Roanoke, where he enjoyed the outdoors and became an Eagle Scout; he graduated from Roanoke Benson High School in 1971; he worked summers at Roanoke Concrete to pay for college; he attended the University of Notre Dame, during which he studied in Innsbruck, Austria for a year; he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1978, where he earned membership in the Order of the Coif; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes had a distinguished legal career, co-founding the law firm Elias, Meginnes & Seghetti in 1996; he counseled hundreds of clients on corporate and environmental law over the years while supported by his assistant of 42 years, Vicki Parr; his mentorship and dedication caused many of his client relationships to evolve into friendships, and he felt great devotion to the Coulter Family for his career-long work for Peoria Disposal Company and GFL; he continued to serve clients throughout his cancer journey; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes complemented his professional work with passionate service to his community; he served on the Dunlap Community Unit School District #323 Board of Education for 16 years, spending half of his tenure as president; he also served on the boards of the W.D. Boyce Council, the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Peoria Building Commission, Business PAC of Central Illinois, and Peoria Promise, an organization he helped create and found in 2007; he remained a champion of scouting, receiving the Boy Scouts' Silver Beaver Award and the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award for his efforts; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes and his wife, Jane, built a life full of love and concern for others, highlighted by their love of travel, family games of Liverpool rummy, and many holiday celebrations; together, they honored their shared heritage by managing family farms in the area for many years, befriending and partnering with local farmers; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes loved reading from an early age; he often read three books at a time, and he built a home library that contained many historical collections and classic fiction; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes was a devoted husband and father, paving the way for his children's successes with his advice and support; he will be remembered for his faith, courage, wise counsel, commitment to community service, strong work ethic, and conviction in the importance of education and citizenship; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Lil, and his brother, Mike; and

WHEREAS, Brian Meginnes is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Jane; his children, Maria (Jason) Maras, Laura Meginnes, and Joe (Amy) Meginnes; six grandchildren; and his brother, Tim (Judy) Meginnes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Brian Joseph Meginnes and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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