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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of James "Jim" DeVoe of Rockford, who
4passed away on November 29, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe was born to Viola and Harold DeVoe in
6Madison, Wisconsin on May 28, 1948; he married Zandra on
7January 15, 1972; he was a resident of the Ellis Heights
8neighborhood of Rockford since the 1980s; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe retired from Newell Window Furnishings
10in Freeport in 2006; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe co-founded the West Gateway Coalition,
12an organization that works to empower residents in some of the
13city's poorest neighborhoods to address issues ranging from
14crime and blight to economic development; he served as
15president from 2012 to 2015; through his efforts with Rock
16Church, the coalition has transformed more than 50 blocks in
17the past 10 years; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe was instrumental in the launch of
19Project 1013, an annual neighborhood cleanup project that
20brings hundreds of volunteers together each summer to remove
21debris, pull weeds, trim trees, paint, and spruce up whole

 

 

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1city blocks; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe became a certified master gardener; he
3helped establish community gardens and teaching gardens aimed
4towards underserved youth on the west side of Rockford; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe was a proud member of the National
6Model Railroad Association and Master Gardeners; he enjoyed
7model railroading and being involved with several community
8gardens in the area; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe was known for his easygoing and
10down-to-earth nature and his unique perspective; he will be
11remembered for his passion and dedication towards helping his
12neighbors and his community; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Jim DeVoe was preceded in death by his parents;
14his grandparents; and his brother, Jeff DeVoe; and
 
15    WHEREAS, At the time of his passing, Jim DeVoe was
16survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Zandra; his children,
17Jennifer Velez, June Jones, and Jonathan DeVoe; his brothers,
18Joe DeVoe and family, Jerry DeVoe, and Jay DeVoe; his sisters,
19Jeanette England, Jacqueline Cozzi, and their families; and
20his many cousins, aunts, and uncles; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3James "Jim" DeVoe and extend our sincere condolences to his
4family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Jim DeVoe as an expression of our
8deepest sympathy.