SR1023 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1023 LRB102 27362 ECR 39151 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James "Jim" G. Turpin, Voice of the Illini from 1960-2002 and longtime host of the WDWS Penny for Your Thoughts radio call-in show, who passed away on April 10, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin was born to Burl and Martha Turpin in Olney on February 26, 1932; he graduated from East Richland High School in 1950; he married Louise Van Matre on August 16, 1952; in 1953, he was drafted and worked in radio operations for the Armed Forces Radio and Television division in South Korea and Japan; he finished his radio-televison journalism degree at the University of Illinois in 1961; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Jim Turpin worked for WDWS, describing prep action and University of Illinois football and basketball games; he also did play-by-play for WILL in Urbana; in 1962, he also started working at WTAX in Springfield; during his time in Springfield, he also worked as public affairs director for the Illinois Oil Council, president of S.P. Wright Advertising Agency, public affairs director for the Illinois Council for Branch Banking, and vice president for public affairs at Sangamon State University; he became vice president and general manager of WDWS/WHMS radio back in Champaign for a number of years, while continuing to do play-by-play for some exciting and memorable football and basketball games on the Illini Sports Network; he also hosted the "Monday Night Coaches Show" on WDWS for a time and was the co-host, along with Loren Tate, of "Saturday Sportsline" for many years; he was the longtime host of WDWS' popular community call-in show "Penny for Your Thoughts" and became known as the "Voice of the Illini"; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin served as emcee or master of ceremonies for various events, such as the Champaign Rotary Club's Illini football banquet, the Illinois Football Coaches Association annual Hall of Fame banquet, the summertime Ice Cream and Independence performance at the Virginia Theatre, and the WDWS/WHMS Scholar Athlete banquet for area high school scholar-athletes, which he also founded; he supported community and youth theater by attending hundreds of shows locally and featuring numerous show casts on the "Penny for Your Thoughts" program to help promote their performances; his other community service included serving board terms with the Disabled Citizens Foundation and the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois, serving as past president of the American Business Club, serving as UWCC Campaign co-chair alongside his daughter, and serving as host for the Christmas Community Dinner at First Christian Church for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin was a member of the Champaign-Urbana Advertising Club and the Illinois Broadcasting Association; he was an elder of First Presbyterian Church of Champaign; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin's professional honors included receiving the Broadcast Pioneer Award by the Illinois Broadcasters Association, being a two-time recipient of the IBA award for downstate Illinois' best play-by-play announcer, being inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame media category, receiving the 2001 Chamber of Commerce's "Most Valuable Citizen" in Champaign County, and being named an honorary member of the Varsity "I" Association at the University of Illinois; in 2018, he received the United Way of Champaign County's Spirit of Caring Award; he was later awarded lifetime membership in the Illini Quarterback Club football booster group and the Illini Rebounders basketball booster group; he enjoyed lifetime press credentials for all UI athletic events; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin loved spending time with his family; he also enjoyed cycling and playing tennis; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Louise; his parents; his sister, Marge DeMarse; and numerous nephews, nieces, and good friends; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turpin is survived by his children, Chris (Jim Lukeman), Dan (Suzanne Cross), and Jayne (Joe DeLuce); his grandchildren, Carly (Jason Sakowski), Kendall (Nigel Yin), Shayne, Quinn, Trey, Jenna, and Jordan; his great-grandsons, Luka and Ozzy; and his sisters, Jody Wood and Sue Engle; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James "Jim" G. Turpin 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 Jim Turpin as an expression of our deepest sympathy.