SR0234 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0234 LRB104 13208 MST 25364 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr. of Joliet, who passed away on March 25, 2025 while serving his country; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez was born to Jose and Leticia (Quintero) Duenez in Joliet on April 8, 1999; he was one of six children and was affectionately known as "Junior"; he developed a deep commitment to his faith after participating in a missionary trip and maintained that faith throughout his life; he enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez was often recognized by his peers and superior officers as a trustworthy and dedicated soldier during his seven-year military career; he graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course and the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations Course; he was promoted five times over the course of his service, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November of 2020; he served in three overseas deployments, to Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025; at the time of his passing, he was scheduled to attend the Advanced Leaders Course; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez was most recently serving in Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve as a M1 Abrams tank system mechanic with the U.S. Army 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Stewart, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez had recently crossed an item off of his bucket list, traveling throughout Alaska with his family; he had started his own fishing YouTube channel and had purchased a home and a boat; he enjoyed sushi and anime and collected mangas as well as katanas; he shared a very special bond with his father, and the two often referred to each other as "partner"; his greatest source of pride was his son; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, his paternal grandparents, and his niece, Sophia; and

WHEREAS, Sgt. Duenez is survived by his wife, Karen Diaz Duenez; his son, Jose Duenez III; his mother, Leticia; his father, Jose; his sisters, Lydia, Jessica, Eva, Rebecca, and Beatriz; his 18 nieces and nephews; and many other loved ones; and

WHEREAS, In honor of the memory of Sgt. Duenez, Governor JB Pritzker ordered flags be flown at half-staff, and Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy requested that flags throughout his city be lowered to half-staff; 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 Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr. 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 Sgt. Duenez as an expression of our deepest sympathy.