SR0852 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0852 LRB101 15859 MST 65216 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth "Ken" Behrens of Bloomington, who passed away on December 1, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Ken Behrens was born in Chicago Heights to Norbert A. and Irene E. Behrens on June 11, 1948; he graduated from Illinois State University in 1970, where he was the program director at WGLT his senior year; he married Cynthia Hoefler on December 23, 1979; and

WHEREAS, Ken Behrens joined WJBC and hosted the popular, top-rated Ken Behrens Show for over 32 years; he was a gifted comedian and entertainer; his stand-up comedy was enjoyed nationwide, from the Comedy Store in Los Angeles to the Sabre Room in Chicago; he always kept his family and friends entertained; he was also an accomplished piano player; he hosted a local CNN news show for two years and worked in marketing for People's Bank and with Connoisseur Media, where one year he won Connoisseur's National Salesperson of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Ken Behrens appeared in several plays at Conklin's Barn Dinner Theatre in Goodfield and was the house emcee at Peoria's Madison Theater, where he appeared with Drew Carey; he also appeared at the Palmer House in Chicago; he was proud of an original joke that was published in Reader's Digest and later included in a "Best Of" compilation; over the decades, he interviewed countless celebrities, authors, actors, and comedians; he retired in 2002; that same year, the Illinois House of Representatives declared March 1 as Ken Behrens Day; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, Ken Behrens was often behind the wheel of his antique Ford automobiles; he was active with the Prairie State Model T Club and in the McLean County Antique Car Club, where he served as president and vice president; and

WHEREAS, Ken Behrens enjoyed black-and-white films from the Golden Age of cinema, all things Disney, Jack Benny, and Laurel and Hardy; he belonged to the IATSE Local 193, the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees and Motion Picture Operators of the United States and Canada; for many years, he showed movies at Capen Auditorium on the Illinois State University campus; and

WHEREAS, Ken Behrens was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Ken Behrens is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his daughters, Katherine (Matt) Shanks and Kimberly (Andrew) Kaufman; his grandson, Kevin Kaufman; his aunt, Leora Cross; and numerous cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews; 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 Kenneth "Ken" Behrens 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 Ken Behrens as an expression of our deepest sympathy.