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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Michael
4Edward Banks, Sr. of Chicago, who passed away on August 25,
52015; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. was born in Chicago on June 4,
71945 to Edward Caldwell and Pauline Pruitt Banks; he graduated
82 years early from Harlan High School, where he received
9accolades and awards in basketball and track and set a Chicago
10city record in the long jump, a record that remained untouched
11for decades; he attended Bradley University on an athletic
12scholarship, where he joined the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Alpha
13Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; he graduated with a Bachelor of
14Science in Business and Education; while a student at Bradley
15University, he led a group of students on a march down Main
16Street to call attention to discrimination in housing; he
17married Stephanie Jones Banks; he later married Joyce King
18Banks; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. joined the professional staff
20of Bradley University; during his tenure there, he served in
21several capacities, including being responsible for the men's
22residence halls, fraternity affairs, and minority student
23affairs; he served as Assistant Dean of Men and Assistant to

 

 

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1the Dean of Students; he was founder of the Black Studies and
2Cultural Arts Center; he founded Music with A Message, Peoria's
3first minority news and information and entertainment radio
4broadcast (1968-1993); and
 
5    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. traveled extensively on the
6African Continent as a fundraiser for African Independence
7Groups associated with Nelson Mandela; he served as Executive
8Director of Peoria's Citizen's Committee for Economic
9Opportunity, Inc., a position he held for nearly 20 years;
10under his leadership, the following programs were initiated:
11Webster Head Start, day care services, kindergarten, before and
12after school latch-key programming, alcohol rehabilitation
13services, a Senior Drop In Center, neighborhood outreach
14centers, information and referral services, radio and
15television programming, weatherization and housing
16rehabilitation services, and a food service operation; he
17initiated Community Economic Development projects for PCCEO,
18Inc. and formed the Peoria Economic Development Association, a
19local SBA development Corporation; during his tenure as
20Executive Director of PCCEO, Inc., he also started a 40 acre
21farm co-op that once served 100 families; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. served as President at the
23National Center for Community Action and as President of the
24Illinois Community Action Association; he was recognized by his

 

 

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1peers for his strong leadership skills and effective management
2style; he played an integral role in establishing the first
3black owned and operated radio station in Peoria, WBGE 92.3FM;
4he served as general manager of B&G Broadcasting until 2000;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. relocated to Chicago, his home
7town, in 2001; he founded and served as President/CEO of MEBA
8LLC., a consultant firm for non-profit organizations; he served
9as a consultant to the Community and Economic Development
10Association of Cook County, Inc.'s planning department until
11his retirement in 2012; he started an Internet radio broadcast,
12"Mr. B's Showcase", once again using the theme Music with a
13Message; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. married Noel Stewart Banks on
15April 19, 2013; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. was preceded in death by his
17parents; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Michael Banks, Sr. is survived by his wife, Noel;
19his son, Michael Banks, Jr.; his daughter, Ebony Banks (Emorej)
20Henderson and a precious grandson, Elisha A. Henderson; his
21brother, Phillip Banks; his 3 sisters, Rita Jackson, Patricia
22Hodges, and Lori Jackson; his uncle, Wilfred (Betty) Banks; and

 

 

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1a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews,
2loving cousins, and very special friends; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
5mourn the passing of Michael Edward Banks, Sr., and extend our
6sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
7and loved him; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of Michael Banks, Sr. as an expression
10of our deepest sympathy.