CONGRATS-JAMES A. BUSCH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dan Swanson

The bill formally recognizes and congratulations James Andrew "Andy" Busch on his 34 years of pastoral leadership at Alpha Baptist Church and upcoming retirement.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of HR 940 (104th Illinois General Assembly)

Purpose and intent

HR 940 is a House Resolution recognizing and congratulating James Andrew "Andy" Busch on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of Alpha Baptist Church in Alpha, Illinois.

The resolution notes 34 years of service to the church (since February 1995) and outlines Busch’s broader contributions to the community and his forthcoming retirement.

Key provisions and changes

Formal commendation: The bill expresses congratulations and gratitude for Busch’s dedication and contributions.

Recognition of career milestones:

Retirement as pastor of Alpha Baptist Church after 34 years of service.
Previous roles and activities including hospital chaplaincy, youth ministry, church leadership, community outreach, and theological education.

Specific biographical details highlighted:

Birth: January 18, 1956 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Education: Green Bay East High School (1974), University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (1979), Bethel Theological Seminary (1983).
Move to Galesburg, Illinois (settled in 2007).
Full-time chaplain at United Medical Center (1990–2025 retirement).
Involvement in hospital chaplaincy initiatives, mental health and addiction support through music and spiritual teaching, community grief groups, and mentoring aspiring chaplains (certified with the Association of Professional Chaplains in 1992).
Pastor at Alpha Baptist Church (since February 1995): roles include baby dedications, revivals, participation in praise band and youth ministry, writing a column, church concerts, officiating weddings (35 in total with regional churches), and a hosted wedding at a stock car racetrack.
Community initiatives: started a food pantry (1988) and hymn contest accolades (co-winner in 1993 with the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region).
Civic acknowledgment: Invoked to deliver the Illinois House of Representatives’ invocation on May 14, 2026.

Retirement date: July 19, 2026.

Who is affected

James Andrew "Andy" Busch: primary honoree and subject of the recognition.

Alpha Baptist Church and its congregants: beneficiaries of long-term pastoral leadership recognized in the resolution.

Community and broader Illinois religious and civic communities: acknowledged through public recognition of Busch’s service and impact.

The Illinois House of Representatives and its members: formalized appreciation and ceremonial invocation noted in the resolution.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives.

Action history:

Filed with the Clerk (May 27, 2026) by Rep. Dan Swanson.
Placed on Calendar Agreed Resolutions (May 28, 2026).
Resolution Adopted (May 28, 2026).

Not a law or statutory change: This is a ceremonial resolution recognizing an individual’s service and retirement.

Additional notes

The bill includes an enactment of a ceremonial nature, with no fiscal impact or regulatory changes anticipated.

Acknowledges Busch’s diverse service roles, spanning hospital chaplaincy, youth and music ministries, charitable work (food pantry), and community engagement.