Bill Text: IL SR1368 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Mourns the passing of radio and TV personality Floyd A. Brown of Elgin.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-01-06 - Resolution Adopted [SR1368 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR1368-Introduced.html

---

SR1368 LRB102 30036 LAW 42233 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of radio and TV personality Floyd A.
Brown of Elgin, who passed away on December 9, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown was born to Faye Lee
McFarland-Grayson and Lewis O. Woods in Dallas, Texas on
November 5, 1930; he left Texas at an early age, moving to
Washington, D.C., where he graduated from high school at the
age of 16; he served in the U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown's military service led him to become
an engineer at radio station WRMN in Elgin in 1951, and his
career included working as program manager and personality for
WYNR; he was the first African American to sign with NBC and
WMAQ, where he was an announcer and on-air personality; he
worked at WGN from 1971 to 1999, during which he worked as a
sportscaster and sports anchor on the evening news; with his
iconic voice, he hosted The Floyd Brown Show on WGN for more
than 29 years, where he featured entertainment, music,
interviews, and news/business topics, and his guests included
such legendary jazz artists as Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton,
and Ella Fitzgerald; in addition to his time at WGN, he joined
the Chicago Sunday Evening Club in 1985 and hosted WTTW's 30
Good Minutes until he retired in 1996; and

SR1368 - 2 - LRB102 30036 LAW 42233 r
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown contributed his time and talents to
the arts and civic life in his local community of Elgin; he was
a founding member of the Elgin Human Relations Commission and
served as president of the Elgin Housing Commission and
marketing director for the Kane County Fair; he was master of
ceremonies for WGN's Know Your Heritage, the Bud Billiken
Parade, the Gospel Stellar Awards, and Central City
Productions; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown received many awards, including the
D. Ray Wilson Volunteer Service Award from Judson University,
the Friend of Education Award from Elgin Community College,
and the Trailblazer Award from the Quad City Urban League; he
was inducted into WGN Radio's Walk of Fame on March 22, 2016;
he was also recognized for his achievements as a civil rights
activist and his commitment to supporting the arts; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown, an avid golfer and sports
enthusiast, was the first African American to become a member
of a private country club in the State of Illinois; he served
on the board of the United States Golf Association and the
Chicago District Golf Association; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown will be remembered as a legendary
trailblazer whose major role and notoriety as a Black man in

SR1368 - 3 - LRB102 30036 LAW 42233 r
media paved the way for other people of color to achieve
success in broadcasting, while simultaneously bringing joy and
entertainment to homes across the country; and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown was preceded in death by his parents;
and
WHEREAS, Floyd Brown is survived by his wife of 67 years,
Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Brown; his son, Judge Floyd Keith
Brown; his daughter, Diane Brown; his grandchildren, Marcus
(Amanda) Brown, Nicole Brown, Jordan Douglas, and Taylor
Douglas; and his great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Caleb, and
Cassidy Brown; 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
Floyd A. Brown 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 Floyd Brown as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.