Bill Text: IL SR0236 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of John G. Vanko of St. Charles.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-29 - Resolution Adopted [SR0236 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0236-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of John G. Vanko of St. Charles, who
passed away on April 12, 2021; and
WHEREAS, John Vanko was born in Streator to John and
Louise (Rezen) Vanko in 1937; he graduated from Streator High
School in 1955, where he was a standout basketball player and
held the school scoring record for 10 years; he declined a
tryout with the Chicago White Sox farm team and attended
Western Illinois University on a basketball scholarship, where
he received his Bachelor of Science in 1959 and his Master of
Science in 1960; he earned his Doctor of Education from Loyola
University in 1973; and
WHEREAS, John Vanko taught history and mathematics and
then later served as a counselor, dean, assistant principal,
and principal at Joliet West High School; he became the
Associate Superintendent for Community Unit School District
303 in St. Charles before assuming the position of
Superintendent in 1991; and
WHEREAS, Under John Vanko's leadership, St. Charles High
School received the 1994-1996 Blue Ribbon Excellence Award
from the U.S. Department of Education; as Superintendent, he

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was instrumental in helping pass a $44 million referendum to
build Wredling Middle School and a ninth grade building on the
Dunham Campus at St. Charles High School; and
WHEREAS, John Vanko retired in 1996 and joined Aurora
University, where he taught graduate level education classes
and coordinated the administrative internship program for the
training of future school administrators; he taught for 13
years at Aurora University and retired in 2008 as Associate
Professor Emeritus at the College of Education; and
WHEREAS, John Vanko was involved in many community
activities; he served on the Delnor Community Hospital Board
of Directors for 10 years and volunteered his time with the
United Way, the Rotary Club of St. Charles, where he served as
President, and with youth sports organizations; and
WHEREAS, John Vanko was avid golfer and celebrated four
holes-in-one and, in one of his last rounds, shot his age of
81; he traveled extensively throughout Europe with Martha many
times, including golf trips to Scotland and Ireland; he
treasured memories of many other European travels, where he
enjoyed local culture, cuisine, and architecture, as well as
visits to basilicas, cathedrals, and museums; he was a
frequent patron of sporting events, the Lyric Opera, and the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; and

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WHEREAS, John Vanko is survived by his wife of 63 years,
Martha (Pickerill) Vanko; his children, Kimberly Millet and
Kenneth (Karyn) Vanko; his brother, Richard (Nancy) Vanko; his
grandchildren, Austin Millet, Ross (Noriko) Millet, York
Millet, Langdon Vanko, and Lincoln Vanko; and his
great-grandson, Orson Millet; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
John G. Vanko 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 John Vanko as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.