MEMORIAL-MEG R. FITZGERALD

104th Regular Session Introduced by Lakesia Collins

The bill mourns Meg R. Fitzgerald and extends the Senate’s condolences while recognizing her contributions to early childhood education.

Resolution Adopted

Purpose

SR 426 is a Senate memorial resolution mourning the death of Meg Ryan Fitzgerald (b. April 26, 1985 — d. February 28, 2025), honoring her life and public service in early childhood education, and extending the Illinois Senate’s condolences to her family, friends, and community. The resolution is ceremonial—expressing sympathy and recognition rather than creating any legal duties or spending.

Key provisions / actions taken

Officially mourns the passing of Meg Ryan Fitzgerald and records her accomplishments and community service.

Recites biographical details, professional roles, and contributions to early childhood education.

Extends sincere condolences to her husband, children, parents, sister, and extended family.

Directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to Fitzgerald’s family as an expression of sympathy.

Background and notable biographical details (as recited in the resolution)

Born April 26, 1985, in Spring Valley; raised in Oglesby, Illinois.

Married Kevin Turk on April 21, 2017.

Education:

B.A. in Early Childhood Education, DePaul University (2007).
M.A. in Child Development (Administration specialization), Erikson Institute (2015).

Professional career:

Began as a preschool teacher (2007) for the Diocese of Chicago at Immaculate Conception Catholic School (Old Town), later served as early childhood director there.
Founding teacher (2013) at Bennett Day School (West Loop, Chicago); later served as curriculum coordinator and director of the Early Childhood program and participated on the planning team for school expansion.
Presented at early childhood education conferences and was published in Teaching Young Children (journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children).
Served on the Immaculate Conception–St. Joseph School Board and as vice president of the Commercial Park Advisory Council (West Town).

Survivors named in the resolution: husband Kevin Turk; twin children Edith Jane Turk and William Fitzgerald Turk; sister Dana Fitzgerald; parents; and an extended family network.

Who is affected / impacted

Primarily symbolic: family, friends, colleagues in early childhood education, and the local communities and institutions she served (Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Bennett Day School, West Town/West Loop community groups).

The resolution places a formal record of condolence and recognition in the Senate Journal and provides the family with an official copy.

Procedural / timeline notes

Document shows the resolution was received by the Secretary of the Senate on April 16, 2025.

Legislative entries provided indicate the resolution was read and adopted (dates listed include March 21, April 22, and October 15, 2025) and was reported enrolled and recorded in the Journal on April 22, 2025. A copy was authorized for presentation to the family.

The resolution is ceremonial and follows the standard legislative steps for memorial/condolence resolutions (introduction, reading, adoption, enrollment, and copying for family).

Additional note on source material

The provided version content includes text from another, unrelated Senate resolution (congratulating the artist AverySunshine). That language appears merged into the file but is not part of the memorial for Meg R. Fitzgerald. This summary focuses only on the memorial content pertaining to Meg R. Fitzgerald.

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