SR0268 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0268 LRB104 13332 ECR 25620 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Matthew Patrick "Matt" Jones of Edwards, who passed away on April 26, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones was born in Pekin on September 30, 1965; he graduated from Pekin Community High School in 1983; he received an associate's degree from Illinois Central College; he earned his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois, completing his education in 1991; during college, he served as a national officer for the honor society Phi Theta Kappa and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones served as an intern for the late Illinois Governor James T. Thompson through the Michael Curry Summer Internship Program; he worked as an assistant state's attorney in Peoria County before joining the legal counsel team of Illinois Senate President Pate Philip, where he developed expertise in Illinois' criminal code; he later worked in the private sector as a lobbyist with Chicago-based law firms Sidley Austin LLP and Altheimer & Gray, and he practiced privately at Johnson, Bunce, and Noble, P.C. in Peoria; for over 15 years, he served as associate director of the Office of the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor and as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Law; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones contributed generously to Phi Theta Kappa and the Peoria Rotary North Club, among other organizations; he also enjoyed acting with local community theater groups, including Cornstock and Peoria Players, and he was especially proud of his work in productions of You Can't Take It with You, Damn Yankees, Mister Roberts, and A Few Good Men; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones served his community in many ways, including as president of the PTO, a speech coach, and a scout volunteer; he also helped his neighborhood through dressing up as the Easter Bunny, and he assisted in his children's involvement in lacrosse and choir; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones was named to the 40 Leaders Under Forty list by InterBusiness Issues magazine in 2001, honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young People of Illinois by the Illinois Jaycees in 2003, and received the Distinguished Community Service Award for his longtime volunteerism by the Peoria County Bar Association in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones was known for his kindness, wit, generosity, and his exceptional ability to cultivate meaningful, bipartisan criminal justice reform; he will be remembered as a devoted father and husband who considered his family his greatest blessing; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones was preceded in death by an unborn child and his father, C. W. "Mike" Jones; and

WHEREAS, Matt Jones is survived by his wife of 20 years, Sandra Denise "Sandy" Gallant-Jones; his children, Benjamin Ryan Jones and Emersyn Rhys Jones; his mother, Sandra S. Jones; his sister, Lisa (Dave Scott) Jones; his half-siblings, Michael (Debra) Jones and Catherine Jones; his niece and nephews; and his extended family; 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 Matthew Patrick "Matt" Jones 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 Matt Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.