Bill Text: IL SR0107 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Erik K. Jensen.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Resolution Adopted [SR0107 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0107-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Erik K. Jensen, who passed away on
November 29, 2018 at the age of 89; and
WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was born on December 18, 1928; he
served in the United States Army during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was a fixture in Oak Park as a
restaurateur; he owned and operated Nielsen's Restaurant in
Elmwood Park, which was opened by Aksel Nielsen, his
father-in-law, in the 1940s; in the 1980s, he opened both
Erik's Deli and Erik and Me in Oak Park; generations of
families dined at his restaurants, and Dan Haley, publisher of
The Wednesday Journal, described Erik's Deli as a pioneering
hot spot, "an immediate smash, catering to different crowds,
different parts of the day"; he also noted that it "was filled
with moms and strollers late morning, local business folks at
noon, high schoolers after the afternoon bell, and families
crowded in for dinner"; and
WHEREAS, Erik Jensen retired from the restaurant business
in 1987; he then began a second career as executive director of
the Illinois Restaurant Association and as a board member of
the National Restaurant Association; he was a member of the

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River Forest Tennis Club, the West Cook YMCA board, and the
Lions Club; he was a longtime member of United Lutheran Church
in Oak Park; he donated his time and efforts to West Suburban
P.A.D.S., now Housing Forward, and West Suburban Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Erik Jensen learned to snow ski at the age of 40,
was an avid water skier, enjoyed parasailing, and was a
passionate sailor who enjoyed being on the lake; he was dapper
and distinguished; he provided the young people he employed
with tremendous opportunities, along with kind and generous
advice; the positive culture he developed in his restaurants
created many long-lasting relationships; and
WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was the husband of Bebsie (Nielsen),
the father of Kimberly (Bruce) Wojack and Dawn Jensen, the
grandfather of Erik Jacob "Jake" and Emma Jensen Wojack, the
brother of John (Marion) Jensen, the late Erving (Beverly)
Jensen, and Edna McLain, the brother-in-law of Pearl (James)
Gould, and the uncle of many; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Erik K. Jensen and extend our sincere condolences to his
family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
further

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RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Erik Jensen as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.