IL SR1484

Barbara "Barb" Jean Adkins of Bloomington passed away on November 7, 2020; she was born April 19, 1959, in East St. Louis and graduated from East St. Louis Lincoln Senior High School in 1977 and Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1961.

Worked for the City of Bloomington for 32 years, beginning as a part-time police dispatcher and advancing to community relations coordinator in 1993, community affairs specialist in 2000, and deputy city manager for eight years before retiring in 2014.

Organized the first "Not in Our Town" anti-racism march in Bloomington-Normal in 1996 and served as a housing commissioner for the City of Bloomington Housing Authority and officer of the Central Illinois Chapter of The Links.

Received the YWCA "Woman of Distinction Award" in 1999 and was a lifetime member of the NAACP and member of Loving Missionary Baptist Church; known for her passion for human rights and her ability to foster meaningful dialogue.

Illinois Senate expresses condolences to her surviving family members, including four siblings, fourteen nieces and nephews, and numerous extended family members and close friends.