SR0740 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0740 LRB104 21646 LAW 37163 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On April 28, 2025, at approximately 3:20 p.m., a vehicle crashed into YNOT Outdoors, an after-school facility at 301 Breckenridge Road in Chatham, resulting in the deaths of five young people and the injuries of several others; and

WHEREAS, The five individuals who succumbed to their injuries sustained in the incident were Rylee D. Britton of Springfield, age 18, Alma L. Buhnerkempe of Chatham, age 7, Kathryn S. Corley of Chatham, age 7, Ainsley G. Johnson of Chatham, age 8, and Bradley J. Lund of Springfield, age 8; and

WHEREAS, Rylee Britton was born on November 8, 2006, and she passed away on April 28, 2025; at the time of her passing, she was a senior at Glenwood High School who worked as a counselor at YNOT Outdoors and planned to attend the University of Iowa; she loved music, performing in productions at the Hoogland Center for the Arts and Theatre in the Park; she was known for her courageous and kindhearted nature, facing every challenge with a brave smile while inspiring those around her, and her infectious positivity and warmth touched everyone she met; and

WHEREAS, Alma Buhnerkempe was born on July 10, 2017, and she passed away on April 28, 2025; at the time of her passing, she was a second grader at Chatham Elementary School; she was a social butterfly who could talk to anyone and had a strong sense of community, fostered by the Girl Scouts, and she was a devoted sister who loved spending time with her family, especially her cousins; she had an infectious energy, a goofy sense of humor, and a boundless sense of compassion; and

WHEREAS, Kathryn Corley was born on June 22, 2017, and she passed away on April 28, 2025; at the time of her passing, she was a second grader at Chatham Elementary School; she was a dedicated helper, a goofball who enjoyed performing silly dances or showing off her signature funny face, and a devoted Taylor Swift fan; she enjoyed suggesting family movie nights and organizing fun activities for her younger cousins; she was an old soul known for her sincere empathy and kindness, putting the wants and needs of others before her own; and

WHEREAS, Ainsley Johnson was born on February 16, 2017, and she passed away on April 28, 2025; at the time of her passing, she was a second grader at Glenwood Elementary School; she enjoyed dancing at Studio M Dance Center and participating as a soccer player with the Springfield Area Soccer Association (SASA) Youth Recreational League; she was also a music lover, often singing along to any song she heard and borrowing her father's AirPods while he was mowing to listen along with him; and

WHEREAS, Bradley Lund was born on April 4, 2017, and he passed away on June 2, 2025; at the time of his passing, he was a second grader at Glenwood Elementary School; he delighted in the simple joys of childhood and possessed a heart full of wonder and a limitless capacity for joy; he found comfort in story time snuggles with his mom and was an avid volunteer alongside his family; he was a playful spirit known for his curiosity, laughter, compassion, creativity, and the quiet joy he radiated; and

WHEREAS, Although their lives were far too brief, these five victims each brought unimaginable joy and light into the lives of their respective families and friends, and their legacies will live on through their loved ones, their communities, and countless others who share in the grief of these promising youths being tragically taken too soon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that, on the one year anniversary of this incident, we mourn the loss and celebrate the lives of the five young victims of the Chatham YNOT tragedy, Rylee D. Britton, Alma L. Buhnerkempe, Kathryn S. Corley, Ainsley G. Johnson, and Bradley J. Lund, and we extend our sincere condolences to their families, friends, and all who knew and loved them; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the families of Rylee Britton, Alma Buhnerkempe, Kathryn Corley, Ainsley Johnson, and Bradley Lund as an expression of our deepest sympathy.