SR0946 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0946 LRB103 40426 MST 72745 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John F. Early of Elgin, who passed away on April 17, 2024; and

WHEREAS, John Early was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to Colonel John A. and Helen T. (Moore) Early on March 3, 1946; he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in numerous places, including Fort Riley, Kansas; he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1968 and his Juris Doctor in 1971, both from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, John Early was a founding partner of the law firm Early, Tousey, Wlodek, Wong & Early, LLP in the city of Elgin; he was highly respected as an attorney both by his colleagues and by the community at large throughout his legal career and community involvement; he was a former assistant state's attorney in Kane County; he served as the secretary-treasurer, vice president, and president of the Kane County Bar Association from 1997 to 2003; he also served in the assembly and on committees of the Illinois State Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, John Early's sense of adventure was captured at a young age, starting with his father being stationed in many places, including Taiwan, San Francisco, and Ohio; he shared his love of travel with his family, and their adventures included tours of Ireland, Italy, and England, boating in the British Virgin Islands, taking a train trip west to California, and driving cross country many times; his happy places were the family home in Galena, Disney World, and St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he spent many wonderful times with family and extended family; and

WHEREAS, John Early was a devoted Illini fan and spent many weekends with family and friends traveling back to the University of Illinois as a football season ticket holder and many hours watching the Illini play basketball; he was an avid tennis player in his youth and enjoyed weekend matches with friends later in life; he loved reading and was a wealth of knowledge on many and varied topics; he was a great storyteller and loved reminiscing with friends and family over daily lunches at Paul's Family Restaurant, Carmina's, Jimmy's Char House, The Skillet, and other eateries that made it into the weekly lunch rotation; he was an ardent foodie, and fine dining was his ultimate pleasure; and

WHEREAS, John Early was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Helen and Mitchell Slonina; and his sister, Patricia Lynch; and

WHEREAS, John Early is survived by his wife, Mary (Slonina); his children, John A. Early, Meghan E. Early, and Catie H. Early (Kai Bandziukas); his grandchildren, A.J. Early, Archer Early, Ella Thompson, Ozzie Thompson, and Josephine Early; his former son-in-law, Nicolas Thompson; his former daughter-in-law, Rebecca Early; his brother, Tony (Georgine); his sister, Kathy; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John F. Early 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 John Early as an expression of our deepest sympathy.