HR0229 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0229 LRB102 18143 MST 25513 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois Congressman Robert T. "Bobby" Schilling, who passed away on April 6, 2021 surrounded by his wife, Christie, and his 10 children and 14 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling was born on January 23, 1964, the fourth of five children born to Francis and Patricia (Kilgore) Schilling; he was raised on the west end of Rock Island; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling graduated from Alleman High School, where he played football and was named homecoming king; and

WHEREAS, Coming from a poor neighborhood and never attaining a college degree, Bobby Schilling never let hurdles of any size stand in his way; he worked at MacMillan Bloedel Container Corporation of America, where he served as a union steward in the International Paperworkers Union; he become an insurance agent and financial planner for Prudential Insurance, where he ranked 525 out of 10,000 agents and served as the treasurer of his local United Food and Commercial Workers Union; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, Bobby Schilling became an entrepreneur and started St. Giuseppe's Heavenly Pizza with his family; 25 years later, the family is preparing to open their fourth location; and

WHEREAS, In 2009, Bobby Schilling decided to make a bid for U.S. Congress in Illinois' 17th District, which had been held by Democrats for nearly 30 years; despite the long-shot odds, he was successful in his campaign, defeating incumbent Congressman Phil Hare by more than 10 points; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the U.S. Congress, Bobby Schilling was willing to work across the aisle to meet the needs of his district; he prioritized the rebuilding of the I-74 bridge, worked with Democratic colleagues to secure key provisions to help the Rock Island Arsenal in the National Defense Authorization Act, and prioritized veterans by introducing legislation that expanded their health care access by allowing them to get care from any hospital in America and not just from the VA clinics; more than anything, he loved the pre-born; he believed that every life has the potential to change the world, and he supported every piece of pro-life legislation he could; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling was deeply committed to his Catholic faith; throughout his battle with cancer, he remained grateful for the life he was given; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling loved his family and dedicated his life to them; he was not concerned about a successful career as much as he was about providing for his large and growing family; he showed love for his family through his work and sacrifice; he enjoyed addressing challenges and proving his doubters wrong; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling loved America, a nation where a poor kid from Rock Island could have a successful marriage of 35 years and 10 children, own several restaurants, build two houses, and serve as a member of Congress; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Bobby Schilling is survived by his wife, Christie; his children, Terry (Katie), Aaron (Kiki), Levi (Amanda), Joe (Ashley), Isabel (Austin Ryan), Rachel (Kidd Causemaker), Olivia, Sam, Sophia, and Tony; his grandchildren, Grace, Reagan, Bobby, Max, Peter, Gianna, TJ, Daniel, Evelyn, Julia, Hank, Edward, Gus, Ruth, and three on the way; and his siblings, Richard, Michael, Dawn, and William; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former Illinois Congressman Robert T. "Bobby" Schilling and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bobby Schilling as an expression of our deepest sympathy.