SR0436 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0436 LRB104 15546 LAW 28711 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Brian Keith Baptist of Jacksonville, who passed away on September 21, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist, the son of Frank "Buzz" and Barbara Baptist, was born in Jacksonville on October 17, 1975; he graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1993, where he was a member of the golf, baseball, and basketball teams; he attended Lewis and Clark Community College before attending MacMurray College, graduating with a degree in education in 1998; while at MacMurray College, he was a 1997 NCAA conference champion in golf and a member of the 1997 conference championship-winning football team, the Highlanders; he married Jennifer Stevens at Bethel Baptist Church in Chandlerville on September 28, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist coached baseball at Jacksonville High School, and he served as a substitute teacher and then as a teacher for the behavioral disorder classes; he returned to MacMurray College to pursue endorsements to teach special education and health classes before choosing to pursue a career in law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist's law enforcement career spanned more than 20 years; he was a member of Basic Law Enforcement Class #2272 at the Police Training Institute in Champaign, graduating in February 2005; he was selected for the Special Response Team in December 2007, and he was assigned to the ILEAS Mobile Field Force in 2008 and the Jacksonville Street Crimes Unit from 2009 to 2012; he was promoted to sergeant on June 22, 2014, and he served in that capacity until his passing with plans to retire in November 2025; during his career, he received letters of commendation for exceptional work in 2011 and 2023, and he was named Officer of the Month in February 2018; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan who was ecstatic when the team won the 2016 World Series; he loved drinking Busch Light and margaritas, spending time at Lake Jacksonville, eating Mexican food, wearing Hawaiian shirts and bucket hats, watching sunsets and National Lampoon's Vacation, going on vacation and to the cabin, hunting, playing Fantasy Football, and collecting everything, including roadside finds; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist was at his most content when he was spending time with his wife, his children, and his friends; he will be remembered for his smile, his ability to make others laugh, and being the life of every party; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist was preceded in death by his father; his niece, Jenna Protz; and many other family members, friends, and pets; and

WHEREAS, Brian Baptist is survived by his wife, Jennifer Baptist; his children, Makenna Baptist and Daxton Baptist; his mother, Barbara Baptist; his sister, Brenda (Heidi) Protz Silveira; his parents-in-law, Daniel and Debra Stevens; his siblings-in-law, Ashley (Justin) Lex and Beau Stevens; his nieces, Brandy (Weston) Protz Rivers, Ryleigh Lex, and Logan Lex; his bonus sisters, Tammy (Tom) Mason Rust and Lisa (Dan) Mason Magelitz; his bonus nephew and niece, Shane Magelitz and Megan Magelitz; his aunts and cousins; his brothers and sisters in law enforcement; his friends; and the family Yorkie, Brylee; 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 Brian Keith Baptist 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 Brian Baptist as an expression of our deepest sympathy.