Bill > SR0391

This resolution mourns the passing of Antoine Lamar Merrick, a dedicated coach, truck driver, and family man from Chicago Heights who died on July 31, 2025. The document honors Merrick's life journey, noting he was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1982, raised in Tampa, Florida, and graduated from Bloomingdale High School, where he played football. After working for PepsiCo and earning a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Merrick discovered his passion for coaching, starting at St. Agnes Catholic School in 2014 and eventually coaching basketball and flag football at Marian Catholic High School and Rich Township High School. He was deeply involved in youth sports, creating his own basketball program called Power Moves Elite (PME) and coaching for Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams. The resolution acknowledges Merrick's significant impact on thousands of lives through his coaching, emphasizing his commitment to supporting and celebrating his players. It also recognizes his surviving family members, including his wife Kelli, four children, parents, and multiple siblings. The Illinois Senate officially extends its condolences to his family and resolves to present a copy of the resolution to them as a symbol of sympathy.

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=391&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SR&SessionID=114&GA=104