SR0648 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0648 LRB101 13856 ALS 62716 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jeffrey G. "Jeff" Bland of Springfield, who passed away on August 10, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Bland was born in Chicago to Edward and Alma Bland on November 25, 1957; he graduated from Southeast High School and attended Lincoln Land Community College; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Bland was employed at the Northfolk and Western Railroad and the Commonwealth Edison Power Plant; he worked as a security guard for the State of Illinois; he retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation in 2007, where he worked as a highway maintainer; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Bland was an active member of the community; he served as a precinct committeeman and as a member of the Democratic Minority Caucus; he was a deputized registrar for Sangamon County and the treasurer of the Ernie Bankhead Neighborhood Association; he also served as the chairman of the Political Action Committee for the Faith Coalition for the Common Good; he was a member of the Protective Order of Elks of the World, Inc. and a Teamster of Local 916 of Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Bland committed to his faith on May 8, 2008; he was an active member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a trustee and a mentor to the youth ministry; his greatest joy was working with young members of the church; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Bland was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Jeff Bland is survived by his daughter, Jasmine Bland; his grandchildren, Essence, Emmorie, Jeffrey, and Yessiah Bland; his sister, Linda (Don) Williams; many other family members and friends, including Mr. and Mrs. Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, Mr. and Mrs. Ewing, Mr. and Mrs. Turner, Ernest Holman, Glenn Weir, and Rodney Myles; and EdWinicia (Leonard) Townsend, Edward Ray, Michael, and Chris Roseberry, and Kathy Baxter and family; 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 Jeffrey G. "Jeff" Bland 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 Jeff Bland as an expression of our deepest sympathy.