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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of David Michael Milliner, who passed
4away on January 1, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, David Milliner was born to Rose Marie Von Liggett
6in Chicago on February 6, 1957; after his mother's passing, he
7was raised by his aunts, Christina Von Liggett and Aileen Von
8Liggett, and his grandmother, Maida Von Liggett; as a
9teenager, he worked as a copyboy and photo filer for the
10Chicago Defender; he graduated from Kenwood High School in
111975; he received his Bachelor of Arts in Magazine Journalism
12from Drake University in 1979, where he became a member of
13Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1977; he married Jondelle
14Jenkins, D.P.M. in 1989; and
 
15    WHEREAS, David Milliner founded and was CEO of DMMIWorld
16Communications for 35 years; his career involved marketing,
17including a memorable stint with Prince for two of the
18musician's world tours, and maintaining a close relationship
19with the Chicago Defender (the Defender); in the early 2000s,
20he and a group of investors acquired the Defender along with
21other publications, and he served as editor and publisher of
22the newspaper from January 2003 to March 2004; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, David Milliner was instrumental in the
2revitalization of the Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago, bringing
3television camera crews and then-rising-star Oprah Winfrey to
4the parade, which put the national spotlight back on the
5event; and
 
6    WHEREAS, David Milliner was an active member of Corpus
7Christi Catholic Church until its closing in 2021; he remained
8a passionate and tireless member of Alpha Phi Alpha
9Fraternity, Inc., and he was an active member of the Theta Mu
10Lambda Charitable Foundation; he was a staple of the
11Defender's Men and Women of Excellence events; and
 
12    WHEREAS, David Milliner was a strong proponent of
13podiatric medicine throughout his life; a proud Chicagoan and
14Southsider, he was a fan of both the Chicago White Sox and the
15Chicago Cubs; he enjoyed partaking in long chats with friends,
16watching and attending sports games, and viewing and listening
17to an assortment of films, shows, and music; and
 
18    WHEREAS, David Milliner was a proud husband and father who
19was known for his uncanny ability to understand anyone he met;
20he will be remembered as a beacon of determination,
21selflessness, and brotherhood; and
 
22    WHEREAS, David Milliner is survived by his wife of 34

 

 

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1years, Dr. Jondelle Jenkins; his daughter, Francesca Milliner;
2his son-in-law, Jayneal Jimenez; five siblings; two aunts; and
3many family and friends; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
6David Michael Milliner and extend our sincere condolences to
7his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
8further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of David Milliner as an expression of
11our deepest sympathy.