SR0490 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0490 LRB104 16006 ECR 29257 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond L. "Ray" Picl, the former Mayor of Peoria Heights, who passed away on October 5, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl was born to Louis and Emma (Herget) Picl in Peoria Heights on June 15, 1929; he graduated from Woodruff High School and Bradley University; he served in the United States Navy for four years; he married Louise Wuthrich on January 8, 1956; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl worked as manager of food and drug advertising for the Peoria Journal Star, retiring after more than 35 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl served as Mayor of Peoria Heights for 28 years, the longest of any mayor in the village's history; he was also active in the Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce, the Peoria Heights Diamond Jubilee Celebration, and the Peoria Heights Village Party, and he previously served as president of Tower Park Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl was a member of Peoria Heights Christian Church; he was also active with Grandview Lodge 1112 AF & AM Scottish Rite, the Mohammed Shrine, the Royal Arch Masons, the Blaney Commandry, the Knights Templars, Illini Council 347 Allied Masonic Degree, the Greater Peoria Shrine Club, the Shrine Legion of Honor, and the Royal Order of Jesters Court #40; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl was an avid sports fan; he served as past president of the Chicago Cubs Boosters of Central Illinois, organizing bus trips and annual trips to Mesa, Arizona for Cubs Spring Training, and as co-coordinator of the Chicago Bears Fan Club of Central Illinois; he was a longtime Bradley Braves basketball team season ticket holder, served as a past president of the Bradley Chiefs Club, and established the Raymond L. Picl, Sr. Family Endowed Scholarship to be bestowed on a Bradley University student athlete; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl was a recipient of the Bradley Braves Great Teammate Award in 2023 for his dedication, commitment, and support, and he was the winner of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Neve Harms Award for meritorious service in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl cherished spending time with his family, including taking fishing trips to Longville, Minnesota and serving as an announcer for his children's sporting events at Peoria Heights Grade School and Peoria Heights High School; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl was preceded in death by his wife, Louise; his parents; his son, Raymond Picl Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Carol Picl; his son-in-law, Russ Peters; and his sister, Eva Stenger; and

WHEREAS, Ray Picl is survived by his children, Susan (Jerry) DuBois, Sande Peters, and Rick (Melanie) Picl; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Lois Toft; 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 Raymond L. "Ray" Picl, the former Mayor of Peoria Heights, 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 Ray Picl as an expression of our deepest sympathy.