MEMORIAL-BILLIE JEAN LUCAS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mattie Hunter

The bill memorializes Billie Jean Lucas, honoring her life, community service, and expressing condolences to her family.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of SR0844 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and intent

SR0844 is a memorial Senate resolution recognizing and mourning the death of Billie Jean Lucas, who passed away on September 22, 2025.

The resolution serves to honor her life, recount her background, community involvement, and personal character, and to extend condolences to her family and loved ones.

Co-sponsor: Mattie Hunter.

Key provisions and changes

The resolution provides a biographical summary of Billie Jean Lucas, including:

Birth: March 17, 1936, in Florence, Mississippi, to Mitchell and Mattie Hopson.
Work history: 23 years at the Sara Lee Bakery Corporation; later employed by the Illinois State Tollway Authority; retired in 1991.
Faith and community: Longtime member of Mt. Zion First Holy Miracle Baptist Church (30 years), served in the gospel choir for 16 years, and held leadership roles (Mother’s Board chairperson, secretary, and treasurer for seven years).
Personal interests: Cooking, gardening, backyard grilling, socializing with friends and family; described as humorous, kind, and generous.
Family and survivors: Predeceased by her parents, husband Frank, children Kenneth Hopson-Lucas, Daryl Lucas, and Faye Lucas, plus several siblings. Survived by daughters Carolyn Todd and Sherry Lucas-Tate, Godson Edgar Seale, and multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Identified special friends as part of her support network.

The resolution expresses sympathy and condolences to Billie Jean Lucas’s family, friends, and those who knew her.

It directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the family as an expression of deepest sympathy.

Affected parties

Individuals and groups connected to Billie Jean Lucas (family, friends, church community, coworkers, and the broader public who value her contributions and character).

The Illinois Senate, which publicly commemorates notable citizens through memorial resolutions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

This is a memorial resolution introduced to honor a deceased individual and does not enact policy, authorize funding, or create statutory change.

The resolution serves a ceremonial function, typically read and approved by the Senate and then presented to the family.

It references the death date (September 22, 2025) and provides a formal expression of condolences.

Overview of tone and purpose

The document is commemorative and tribute-focused, highlighting Billie Jean Lucas’s life, values, and community impact.

It aims to preserve her memory within state records and acknowledge her contributions to Illinois society.