Bill Text: IL SR0250 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the death of Joseph J. "Joe" Bannon Ph.D. of Champaign.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-29 - Resolution Adopted [SR0250 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0250-Introduced.html

---

SR0250 LRB102 18238 MST 25893 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Joseph J. "Joe" Bannon Ph.D. of
Champaign, who passed away on March 30, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon was born in Glens Falls, New York to
Leo and Elizabeth Bannon on May 30, 1931; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon graduated cum laude from Ithaca
College in 1957; in 1958, he was awarded an assistantship at
the University of Illinois in the Park and Recreation
Department to pursue his Master of Science; upon graduation,
he became Superintendent of Recreation in Leonia, New Jersey;
in 1963, he became the General Superintendent of the Topeka,
Kansas Recreation Commission, where he served until 1966; in
1966, he returned to the University of Illinois to become the
chief of the Office of Recreation and Park Resources; he
completed his Ph.D. in 1971 and became head of the Department
of Leisure Studies in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon authored or co-authored nine books,
contributed a number of chapters to edited books, and wrote
over 50 journal and magazine articles; he was a co-founding
editor of the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration;
he was a founding member of The Academy of Leisure Sciences and

SR0250 - 2 - LRB102 18238 MST 25893 r
the American Academy of Park and Recreation Association; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon consulted extensively throughout the
U.S., Japan, China, Korea, South Africa, Germany, Netherlands,
Italy, and Peru; in 1988, he spent an extended period of time
in China consulting with universities as well as city
officials in Beijing, Shanghai, and Suchow about fitness and
recreation programs; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon developed the newsletter Management
Strategy in 1977, which was dedicated to disseminating
management information to parks and recreation professionals
throughout the world; this led to the formation of the
Sagamore Publishing Company, which he built and worked at full
time alongside his son, Peter Bannon, acquiring and developing
titles after retiring from the University of Illinois; he
continued to maintain his close ties to the recreation field
he loved throughout his life, advising and mentoring countless
young professionals in the field; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon was presented numerous awards in his
lifetime for his decades-long service to the park and
recreation profession; in 2001, he was honored with the
Pugsley Award, the most distinguished award for park and
recreation conservation given in the profession; and

SR0250 - 3 - LRB102 18238 MST 25893 r
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon was a loving and devoted father,
grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, boss, mentor, and friend;
he was a wonderful role model for his family and was fiercely
loyal to those he loved; he enjoyed spending time with family
and friends, running, golf, and spending his summers with his
family at his mountain retreat in upstate New York; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon was preceded in death by his wife,
Ann, and his grandson, Keegan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bannon is survived by his sons, Joseph Jr.
and Peter, and their spouses, Jill and Amy; his grandchildren,
Kelsey, Keegan, Erin, Sophie, Regan, Doug, Leo, and Rory; and
his great-granddaughter, Keegan Rose; 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
Joseph J. "Joe" Bannon Ph.D. 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 Dr. Bannon as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.