Bill Text: IL SR0772 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of David Michael Milliner.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-02-22 - Resolution Adopted [SR0772 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0772-Introduced.html

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SR0772 LRB103 39308 ECR 69462 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of David Michael Milliner, who passed
away on January 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, David Milliner was born to Rose Marie Von Liggett
in Chicago on February 6, 1957; after his mother's passing, he
was raised by his aunts, Christina Von Liggett and Aileen Von
Liggett, and his grandmother, Maida Von Liggett; as a
teenager, he worked as a copyboy and photo filer for the
Chicago Defender; he graduated from Kenwood High School in
1975; he received his Bachelor of Arts in Magazine Journalism
from Drake University in 1979, where he became a member of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in 1977; he married Jondelle
Jenkins, D.P.M. in 1989; and
WHEREAS, David Milliner founded and was CEO of DMMIWorld
Communications for 35 years; his career involved marketing,
including a memorable stint with Prince for two of the
musician's world tours, and maintaining a close relationship
with the Chicago Defender (the Defender); in the early 2000s,
he and a group of investors acquired the Defender along with
other publications, and he served as editor and publisher of
the newspaper from January 2003 to March 2004; and

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WHEREAS, David Milliner was instrumental in the
revitalization of the Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago, bringing
television camera crews and then-rising-star Oprah Winfrey to
the parade, which put the national spotlight back on the
event; and
WHEREAS, David Milliner was an active member of Corpus
Christi Catholic Church until its closing in 2021; he remained
a passionate and tireless member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc., and he was an active member of the Theta Mu
Lambda Charitable Foundation; he was a staple of the
Defender's Men and Women of Excellence events; and
WHEREAS, David Milliner was a strong proponent of
podiatric medicine throughout his life; a proud Chicagoan and
Southsider, he was a fan of both the Chicago White Sox and the
Chicago Cubs; he enjoyed partaking in long chats with friends,
watching and attending sports games, and viewing and listening
to an assortment of films, shows, and music; and
WHEREAS, David Milliner was a proud husband and father who
was known for his uncanny ability to understand anyone he met;
he will be remembered as a beacon of determination,
selflessness, and brotherhood; and
WHEREAS, David Milliner is survived by his wife of 34

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years, Dr. Jondelle Jenkins; his daughter, Francesca Milliner;
his son-in-law, Jayneal Jimenez; five siblings; two aunts; and
many family and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
David Michael Milliner and extend our sincere condolences to
his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
further