IL HR0616

Illinois House Resolution mourning the death of Ernie Baumann of Maywood, who passed away on December 28, 2025, at age 86 (born April 9, 1939).

Ernie Baumann was a U.S. Navy veteran, tumbling instructor, entrepreneur, civil rights activist, and community builder who impacted tens of thousands of children over five decades through youth arts programming.

Co-founded Maywood Fine Arts nonprofit in 1996 with his wife Lois, along with Stairway of the Stars Dance Studio and Mr. Ernie's Flip, Flop and Fly Tumbling School.

After a 2010 fire destroyed their dance studio in the former Maywood Opera House, the Baumanns led the "Raising the Barre" grassroots campaign, rebuilding by 2016 with a new $2 million state-of-the-art facility.

Resolution extends condolences to the Baumann family and directs that a copy be presented to them as an expression of sympathy.