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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to remember Etel Billig for her
4many years of service to the south suburban community, her
5dedication to local theatre, and her love for her family and
6friends; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Etel Billig was born on December 16, 1932, in New
8York City; she was the daughter of Anthony and Martha Papa; she
9earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at New York
10University; Etel lived in Park Forest since 1964, with the
11exception of the years 1974 to 1976, when she lived in Omaha,
12Nebraska while performing at a dinner theater; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Etel Billig had a theatrical career of more than
1450 years, which included performances at the Goodman Theatre,
15the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, the Candlelight
16Dinner Playhouse, and the Court Theatre; she also performed in
17productions at the Wisdom Bridge Theatre in Chicago, the Forum,
18and the Body Politic Theater; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Etel Billig and her husband, Steve Billig, founded
20the Illinois Theatre Center in 1976; during her 36 years with
21the theatre, she appeared in or directed more than 120
22productions; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Etel Billig was a cherished mentor to many actors,
2including Michael Shannon, an Academy Award nominee for best
3actor for his role in "Revolutionary Road", who got his first
4acting role at ITC, and Sally Murphy, who appeared on the TV
5shows "The Good Wife" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and
6now is starring in "Time Stands Still" at the Steppenwolf
7Theatre; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Etel Billig taught theater at Prairie State
9College; she served as the president of the Southland Regional
10Arts Council and as a member of the Theatre Advisory Panel of
11the Illinois Arts Council; she participated in many area
12charity events in her area and received numerous awards for her
13contributions to the arts, including the Women Together Award
14from the Abby Foundation, the Risk Taking Award from the
15National Organization for Women, the Linda Morgan Award from
16the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the
17Athena Award; she was also elected to the Park Forest Hall of
18Fame; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Etel Billig passed away on March 28, 2012, after
20suffering a brain aneurysm at her desk at her beloved theater
21on the previous day; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Etel Billig was preceded in death by her parents,

 

 

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1Anthony and Martha Papa, and her husband, Steve Billig; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Etel Billig is survived by her sons, Curt and
3Jonathan; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we remember and honor Etel Billig for her great influence on
7theatre in Chicago and her great dedication to her community,
8family, and friends; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of Etel Billig as a symbol of our
11esteem and respect.