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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Drinda L. O'Connor, who passed away on
4 July 16, 2023; and
5 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor was born to James Paul and Joyce
6 Inez Hicks in Monticello, Kentucky on August 9, 1951; she
7 graduated from Pleasant Plains High School and earned her
8 Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Sangamon State
9 University in Springfield; and
10 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor worked for the State of Illinois
11 for 24 years; for 15 of those years, she served as deputy chief
12 operations officer with the Illinois Department of Human
13 Services (IDHS), where she managed the State of Illinois'
14 largest leased property portfolio; prior to working at IDHS,
15 she served as director of Citizens Assistance and Community
16 Affairs for both Governor James Thompson and Governor Jim
17 Edgar; and
18 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor was very active in her community,
19 volunteering her time and efforts to many organizations; she
20 was a former elected trustee and chairman of the board of
21 Lincoln Land Community College, an appointed commissioner of
22 the Springfield Airport Authority, a trustee of the Sangamon
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1 County Water Reclamation District, president of the World
2 Affairs Council of Central Illinois, one of the seven
3 commissioners to oversee the Attorney Registration and
4 Disciplinary Commission, and treasurer of the Sangamon County
5 Republican Foundation, where she planned all fundraising
6 events and chaired dozens of fundraisers for numerous local
7 and statewide candidates; and
8 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor was also involved in numerous
9 other social groups, clubs, and committees, including
10 Sunnyside, Together Women Rise, and the Sangamon County
11 Republican Women; and
12 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor lived a full life; her love for
13 travel led her to more than 30 countries, including Japan,
14 China, Africa, Jordan, Cuba, Norway, Switzerland, and Egypt;
15 she loved reading and learning about family history; and
16 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor was a kind, generous soul, with a
17 personality that could light up any room; she was happiest
18 when spending time with her family, and she was affectionately
19 known as "Gaga" to her granddaughter, Addi; she will be
20 remembered for her love of family and friends; and
21 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor was preceded in death by her
22 parents and her brother, Jimmy Wayne Hicks; and
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1 WHEREAS, Drinda O'Connor is survived by her daughters,
2 Kelly Anne Sweeton and Julie K. (Duane) Warrens; her
3 granddaughter, Addison Elizabeth "Addi" Warrens; her siblings,
4 Carolyn Sue Reavis, Forrest Lee (the late Sally) Hicks, Deena
5 Charlene Barnett, Billy Jo (Connie) Hicks, and Paul Jason
6 Hicks; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins;
7 therefore, be it
8 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
9 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
10 Drinda L. O'Connor and extend our sincere condolences to her
11 family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
12 further
13 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of Drinda O'Connor as an expression of
15 our deepest sympathy.
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