SR0974 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0974 LRB100 15069 ALS 29912 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael Patrick Drea of Taylorville, who passed away on October 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea was born in Taylorville to Patrick E. and Marjorie L (Rhodes) Drea on May 13, 1957; he graduated from South Fork High School in 1975; he earned both his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Master in Business Administration from Sangamon State University; he was also a Certified Procurement Buyer; he married Kathy Nolan at St. Mary's Church in Taylorville on September 7, 1985; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea worked for the State of Illinois for 32 years, including 25 years in the Comptroller's Office and later for the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission at the Department of Transportation as a Procurement Officer and State Purchasing Officer; he retired in 2013; he was an active member of the Christian County Democratic Party and strongly believed in public service at the local level; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea was elected to the Christian County Board and served as both Vice Chairman and Chairman; while on the board, he served on the Executive Committee and the Audit and Finance Committees; throughout his 18 years of service on the Board, he was most proud of his efforts to streamline the Board by reducing the number of members; he was later unanimously appointed and sworn in as the Christian County Treasurer on June 3, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea had a passion for serving his community and was proud to be active in many organizations; he served as Director of the Christian County Agricultural Fair Association for 31 years; he also served on the CEFS Economic Opportunity Corporation Board of Directors, the Langleyville Water Board, and was an active member of the Midland Community Bank Board and the Taylorville Community Garden; he proudly participated in the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb at the Springfield Hilton for seven years; he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea enjoyed coaching his sons' sports teams and did so for the St. Mary School Basketball program and the Red Bland Little League and Pony League, as well as a traveling team; he participated in Tae Kwon Do with his sons for several years and earned his First Degree Black Belt; he was an avid raquetball player and fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea enjoyed traveling with his family, especially to Ireland, Jamaica, and many national parks; he loved his dog, Macy; above all, he was a loving husband and incredibly proud of his sons; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea was preceded in death by his father; and his father-in-law, Donald Nolan; and

WHEREAS, Mike Drea is survived by his wife, Kathy; his sons, Nolan and Ryan; his mother, Marjorie; his brother, John (Brenda) Drea; his niece, Kelsey (Robert) Hostert; his nephew, Thomas Drea; and his mother-in-law, Mary Nolan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Michael Patrick Drea, 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 Mike Drea as an expression of our deepest sympathy.