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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of John M. Blachinsky of Kewanee, who 
4passed away on March 22, 2025; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Blachinsky was born to Charles "Chick" 
6Blachinsky and Elizabeth "Bette" O'Connor in Kewanee on August 
712, 1947; he attended Visitation Catholic School and Kewanee 
8High School; he then attended Bemidji State University in 
9Minnesota; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served at the 
10Navy Air Station Miramar, now the Marine Corps Air Station 
11Miramar, in San Diego, California until 1973; he graduated 
12from John Marshall Law School, known today as the University 
13of Illinois Chicago School of Law, in 1976; and
 
14    WHEREAS, John Blachinsky ran his family's practice, the 
15Blachinsky Law Office, until 2015; he then worked for the 
16Barash & Everett law firm; during his career, he served as the 
17city attorney for Kewanee and several local municipalities and 
18as an attorney for the Kewanee Park District, the Henry County 
19Housing Authority, and Kewanee Municipal Airport; and
 
20    WHEREAS, John Blachinsky was an active member of Kiwanis 
21International, serving as a local club president and 
22supporting the local Key Club; he also supported Kewanee High 
 
 
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1School's athletic program, serving as the summer coach for the 
2girls basketball team for over 30 years and as a volunteer at 
3track and cross county meets; and
 
4    WHEREAS, John Blachinsky was a charter member of the 
5Kewanee High School Hall of Fame, where he was inductee as both 
6a member of the 1963 football team and as a supporter of the 
7school; and
 
8    WHEREAS, John Blachinsky was preceded in death by his 
9parents and his great-aunt, Kathryn "D.D." Kirley; and
 
10    WHEREAS, John Blachinsky is survived by his wife, 
11Elizabeth; his daughters, Kara (Marty) Yepsen, Jennifer 
12(David) Angerame, and Tricia/PJ (Mark) Heinle; eight 
13grandchildren; his sisters, Mary Sue (John) Redebaugh, Jane 
14Cote, and Kay (Todd) Lindbeck; and numerous cousins, nieces, 
15and nephews; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
17ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
18John M. Blachinsky and extend our sincere condolences to his 
19family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
20further
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 
 
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1presented to the family of John Blachinsky as an expression of 
2our deepest sympathy.