WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SR 440

MEMORIAL-JORDAN B. RIFIS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Don Harmon

A ceremonial Senate resolution honors Tricia Gephardt for civic service and memorializes Jordan B. Rifis, expressing condolences and awarding copies to his family.

Resolution Adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 440

Summary — SR 440 (Memorial / Commendation Resolution)

Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: April 17, 2025
Classification: Ceremonial resolution (memorial/commendation)

What this resolution does (purpose)

SR 440 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the Senate to (1) recognize and commend Tricia Gephardt for community service, volunteer leadership, and civic engagement, and (2) mourn the passing of Jordan B. Rifis and extend condolences to his family. The document as filed includes two distinct honorary texts: one praising the achievements and service of Tricia Gephardt, and a separate memorial section for Jordan B. Rifis.

Key provisions / substantive content

  • Recognition of Tricia Gephardt

    • Notes her B.A. in government from Georgetown University and early work on Capitol Hill for the House Majority Leader.
    • Describes volunteer and civic leadership roles: Parents’ Association president at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, advisory council member for Horizons Atlanta, longtime supporter of CURE (childhood cancer nonprofit), and founder of The Postcard Project (a grassroots initiative to increase civic dialogue and voter participation).
    • Commends her contributions to education, youth development, and community engagement.
    • Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make an appropriate copy of the resolution available for distribution to Tricia Gephardt.

  • Memorial for Jordan B. Rifis

    • Records his birth (March 26, 1945, Chicago), education (Austin High School; B.A., Roosevelt University, 1968; J.D., DePaul University College of Law, 1971), and legal career (family law, workers’ compensation, personal injury — more than 50 years).
    • Notes his reputation as an advocate for clients often turned away by others, his civic and social affiliations (Tuesday Golf Club, monthly poker nights, Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Oak Park), and his political engagement.
    • Expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his death (February 20, 2025, age 79) and extends condolences to his surviving family.
    • Directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to his family as an expression of sympathy.

Who is affected

  • Honoree: Tricia Gephardt — receives public recognition and a copy of the resolution.
  • Bereaved family and community of Jordan B. Rifis — receive the Senate’s formal expression of sympathy and a copy of the memorial resolution.
  • The resolution is purely honorary and does not create legal rights or obligations, appropriations, or regulatory changes.

Sponsors and support

Primary sponsors listed include Sonya Halpern, Elena Parent, Bill Cowsert, Nikki Merritt, Derek Mallow, Josh McLaurin, Nan Orrock, Harold Jones II, Gail Davenport, and Don Harmon. At later procedural steps the resolution shows “Co-Sponsor All Senators” (see timeline below).

Procedural / timeline notes

Legislative actions recorded (as appearing in the file):
- 2025-03-21: Senate Hopper
- 2025-03-25: Senate Read and Adopted
- 2025-04-17: Received by the Secretary of the Senate; introduced
- 2025-04-22: Read & adopted; vote recorded in Journal; reported enrolled
- 2025-10-14: Filed with Secretary; Co-Sponsor All Senators; Referred to Resolutions Consent Calendar
- 2025-10-15: Resolution Adopted

Note: The document as provided contains text from two distinct honorary resolutions (one recognizing Tricia Gephardt, one memorializing Jordan B. Rifis, the latter labeled SR0440 from the Illinois Senate). The presence of both texts in a single file appears to be a compilation or transmittal artifact. In all cases, SR 440 functions as a non-binding, ceremonial Senate resolution expressing commendation and sympathy rather than substantive policy changes.

Significance

SR 440 is an honorary Senate resolution that publicly acknowledges individual service (Tricia Gephardt) and expresses official condolence (Jordan B. Rifis). It has no legal or fiscal impact; its effect is symbolic recognition and the formal presentation of copies to the honorees or their families.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.