IL SR1361

Dennis Ray Whetstone of Carmi died on November 24, 2022; he was born December 27, 1953, to Carl Ray Whetstone and Frances (Whitsitt) Whetstone and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Whetstone spent his career at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) managing federal and state workforce development programs, including business financing, local government assistance, and job training.

In the early 1980s, Whetstone negotiated with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to build the Diamond Star Motors auto plant in Normal and helped convince Motorola, Caterpillar, and other companies to remain in Illinois through DCCA's job retention efforts.

Whetstone served as executive deputy director of DCCA in the late 1980s, worked under Governor Jim Edgar in 1994 on workforce preparation programs, served as DCCA director, and became president and CEO of The Illinois State Chamber of Commerce.

The Illinois Senate mourns Whetstone's passing and extends condolences to his surviving family members: his mother, children Cooper and Callie, brothers Dale and Kerry Whetstone, and several nieces and nephews.