Bill
HR 545
Illinois House mourns Dakota J. Welch, offers condolences to his family, and directs a copy of the memorial resolution be presented to them.
Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: January 16, 2025
Classification: House resolution (memorial)
Primary sponsors: Ritchie Torres; Butch Parrish; Kasey Carpenter; Al Williams; Ron Stephens; Mary Oliver; Jed Davis
Note on source material: The legislative record provided contains text from several different measures (including a federal-style provision about a study of extreme risk protection orders and a separate Georgia memorial for Steve Mensch). This summary focuses on the memorial resolution titled “MEMORIAL — Dakota J. Welch,” which is a condolence/memorial resolution honoring Dakota James Welch. Other inserted texts appear to be unrelated resolutions or bill language and are not part of the Illinois memorial resolution.
Purpose and intent
- The resolution formally mourns the death of Dakota James Welch and expresses the Illinois House of Representatives’ condolences to his family, friends, and community.
- It is a non-binding, ceremonial measure intended to recognize Dakota Welch’s life, character, interests, and community contributions and to memorialize him publicly.
Key provisions / content
- Recitals describing Dakota Welch’s life, including:
- Birth: August 21, 2008, in Morris, Illinois; parents Sheila and Keegan Welch.
- Death: October 20, 2025.
- Family: Youngest of five children (siblings named Hunter, Mackenzie, Kaden, and Paxton).
- Interests and activities: soccer, fishing, hockey; expressed desire to become a pediatric mental health nurse.
- Faith and community ties: member of Village Christian Church in Minooka.
- Personal qualities: described as compassionate, generous, gentle, and beloved by his community.
- Recognition that the Welch family established the Dakota Welch Memorial Fund to provide grants and scholarships to honor his memory.
- Resolves that the Illinois House mourns his passing and extends condolences.
- Directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the Welch family as an expression of sympathy.
Who is affected
- Primarily symbolic: the resolution affects Dakota Welch’s family and community by providing formal recognition and condolences from the Illinois House.
- The Dakota Welch Memorial Fund (established by the family) is noted but not altered or funded by the resolution.
Procedural / timeline highlights
- Introduced January 16, 2025; referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Filed and progressed through chamber procedures in March 2025 (including placement on calendars and reports).
- Placed on order of resolutions and formally adopted by the House on October 31, 2025.
- Final action: resolution adopted; a copy to be presented to the family.
Impact
- Ceremonial/expressive in nature — no legal or fiscal effect.
- Provides official legislative recognition of Dakota Welch’s life and directs presentation of a copy of the resolution to his family.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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