MEMORIAL-RACHEL GANSNER

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mike Simmons-Gessesse

The resolution commemorates Rachel Gansner for founding girls’ baseball programs and honors her lasting impact by naming a field and league after her.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of SR0824 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and Intent

SR0824 is a Senate Resolution commemorating and mourning the death of Rachel Gansner of Chicago, who passed away on April 4, 2026.

The resolution honors her life, community contributions, and legacy, and extends condolences to her family and friends.

Key Provisions and Provisions of Change

Acknowledges Rachel Gansner’s biographical background, including:

Birthdate: December 15, 1980
Education: Francis W. Parker School; Hobart and William Smith Colleges; master’s degree in education from DePaul University
Family: married to Jeremy Gansner; mother to George and Eloise

Highlights her notable contributions:

Founder of the Warren Park Girls Fall Baseball League (began in 2024) on the North Side of Chicago
League started with ~25 players (ages 6-9) and expanded to include an additional division for ages 10-12
Served as a coach, promoting empowerment, confidence, and love of baseball
Founded the nonprofit Let's Play Too, focused on expanding girls’ access to baseball

Describes her family’s involvement in baseball activities and support within the Warren Park community.

Declares and recognizes future memorials:

A baseball field to be named in her honor
The Warren Park Fall Girls Baseball League to bear her name
Her continued legacy through the Warren Park Youth Baseball Board (where she previously served as president)

Provides the formal expression of mourning and condolences to the family and loved ones.

Who/What Is Affected

The legislation is ceremonial and symbolic, affecting:

The Illinois Senate as the adopting body of the memorial
The broader Illinois community associated with Warren Park, youth baseball, and the advocacy for girls’ participation in baseball
Rachel Gansner’s family and her organizations (Let’s Play Too, Warren Park Youth Baseball Board) via formal recognition

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Type: Senate Resolution (no legal or regulatory changes; ceremonial homage)

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Effective date: Not a policy enactment; takes effect as a formal resolution upon passage by the Senate

Next steps: Typically presented to the family as a formal expression of sympathy; copies may be provided as a gesture of remembrance

Notable Details

The resolution emphasizes community impact through advocacy for girls’ participation in baseball and the creation of girls-focused baseball programs.

It documents personal and family ties to the sport and to the Chicago community.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise one-paragraph briefing or tailor this summary for a particular audience (e.g., constituent readers, policymakers, or advocacy groups).