Summary — SR 501 (Senate Resolution)

Status: Resolution Adopted

Introduced: May 2, 2025

Classification: Senate resolution (honorary/memorial)

Primary Sponsors: RaShaun Kemp; Sally Harrell; Sonya Halpern; Kim Jackson; Elena Parent; Donzella James; Nan Orrock; Tonya Anderson; Gail Davenport; Jason Esteves; David Koehler (and later co‑sponsored by all senators)

Main purpose

SR 501 is an honorary Senate resolution that (1) mourns and commemorates the life and public service of Bishop Joseph Hosea Johnson of Peoria and (2) recognizes and commends Charlotte Keenan for winning the GHSA 4A State Literary Championship in Domestic and International Extemporaneous Speaking. As a resolution, it is symbolic and non‑binding—meant to record the Senate’s sentiments and direct preparation of commemorative copies.

Key provisions and textual highlights

• Memorial for Bishop Joseph Hosea Johnson:

  • Notes Bishop Johnson’s birth (July 24, 1935, Benoit, Mississippi), conversion at age 12, move to Peoria at 18, marriage to Annie Jo Hunter, and two sons (Joel and Jonathan).
  • Summarizes his theological education (Chicago Baptist Institute; further study at University of Minnesota and Harvard College in California as stated in the text).
  • Describes his public service in Illinois: work with troubled youth, service in the Department of Corrections, appointment as director of Juvenile Court Services (first African American in that role) and 37 years of service.
  • Summarizes pastoral ministry (interim pastor at Star of Hope Full Gospel Church beginning October 1967, ordained March 1968), prison ministry (Cursillo Movement; ministry at 39 prison sites), international ministry (Liberia, Trinidad and Tobago).
  • Notes philanthropic acts: foster parenting, mentoring, facilitating college attendance for 30 students, and donating funds, homes and vehicles to others (text cites 12 homes and 33 cars).
  • Lists family survivors and predecessors in death; states the date of death as October 22, 2025 (as recorded in the resolution).
  • Resolves that the Senate mourns his passing, extends condolences, and orders that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to his family.

• Recognition of Charlotte Keenan:

  • Commends Charlotte Keenan of Midtown High School for winning the GHSA 4A State Literary Championship in Domestic and International Extemporaneous Speaking.
  • Praises her dedication, sportsmanship, and the honor she brought to herself, her school, and community.
  • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Charlotte Keenan.

Who is affected / intended beneficiaries

• The resolution primarily honors and benefits:
  • The family, friends, congregation, and community of Bishop Joseph Hosea Johnson by formally recognizing his life and service.
  • Charlotte Keenan and her school/community by publicly recognizing her competitive achievement.
• There are no regulatory, fiscal, or administrative policy effects on the public or state agencies beyond the customary administrative act of preparing commemorative copies.

Procedural and timeline notes

• Received by the Secretary of the Senate: May 2, 2025.
• Senate actions recorded: read and adopted (dates listed include March 31, 2025; May 6, 2025) and reported enrolled on May 6, 2025.
• Additional entries show filing and adoption activity on October 29–31, 2025 and indicate broad co‑sponsorship (including “All Senators” listed as co‑sponsors on Oct. 29).
• As an adopted Senate resolution, it has been approved by the Senate for the stated ceremonial purposes; it does not create law or appropriate funds.

Notes and clarifications

• The resolution text includes two distinct ceremonial recognitions: a memorial for Bishop Johnson (with biographical detail) and a separate commendation for Charlotte Keenan. Both are contained within the SR 501 record provided.
• The resolution is purely honorary; it records the body’s sentiments and directs preparation of copies for recipients.