SR0024 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0024 LRB104 08614 ECR 18666 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Don Sneider, who passed away on November 14, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider was born to Agnes and Sam Sneider in Chicago on October 9, 1936; he graduated from Von Steuben High School in 1954; he received his bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Illinois in 1958 and his master's degree in education from DePaul University in 1963; he married his wife, Marilyn, at the Sheraton Towers Chicago in June 1960; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider taught science, math, language arts, drivers' education, and special education at Dirksen, where he also served as assistant principal, Von Steuben, Stockton, Alcott, and Sauganash schools over the course of a 35-year career; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider was elected to the Morton Grove Village Board in 1977, working tirelessly for 23 years as the longest-serving village trustee in Morton Grove; during his time in office, he helped pass countless laws and implement a number of programs; he was instrumental in enabling Morton Grove to become the first village on the north shore to install cable television, and he also assisted Morton Grove to become the first village in the nation to ban the private possession of handguns, leading to him and his fellow board members being featured in Life Magazine; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider worked as a counselor at Deborah Boys Club in his spare time, where he supervised pre-teen physical education programs and game room activities; he was also a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and the Northwest Suburban Jewish Congregation, where he served as commission chair of the United Synagogue Youth (USY) and was active in the men's club; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider enjoyed keeping up with the news and politics, learning about history, and watching movies; he was an avid fan of Chicago sports, especially the Chicago Cubs; he and his wife loved traveling, socializing with their couples' club, volunteering at their synagogue, and being active in the Morton Grove Action Party; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider was known for his kindness, his generosity, and his ability to get things done for his community; he loved his friends and family, and he especially treasured the time he spent babysitting his grandchildren; he touched the lives of many, and he will be remembered for his legacy of trust, patience, guidance, and strength; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider was preceded in death by his siblings and brothers-in-law, Charlene (Ben) Hertz and Velda (Norman) Garfinkel; and

WHEREAS, Don Sneider was the husband of Marilyn for 64 years; the father of Susan (Michael) Shalem, Laurie (Steven Yoder) Mendelson, and Kim (Andrew) Bauman; and the grandfather of eight; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Don Sneider 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 Don Sneider as an expression of our deepest sympathy.