SR0402 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0402 LRB101 12380 MST 60383 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois Senate President Thomas Hynes, who passed away on May 4, 2019; and

WHEREAS, President Hynes spent three years studying to become a priest at Quigley Preparatory Seminary; he decided to take a different path and enrolled at Loyola University; he graduated in 1959; three years later, he graduated first in his class from Loyola Law School; his first job as a lawyer was at one of the city's most prestigious law firms, Jenner & Block; he later taught law at John Marshall Law School; and

WHEREAS, President Hynes was elected an Illinois State Senator in 1970, and, only seven years later, became the youngest president in the history of the Illinois Senate; he was a top member of the Democratic National Committee and also headed President Bill Clinton's reelection campaign; and

WHEREAS, President Hynes was an early chief sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment, which the Illinois General Assembly ratified in 2018; he was a major supporter of increased funding for Chicago Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, President Hynes served as Cook County 19th Ward Democratic Committeeman for three decades until 2005; he became one of the most influential Democratic forces in Chicago; he also served as Cook County Assessor and was author of the State's homeowners' property tax exemption; and

WHEREAS, President Hynes demonstrated the basic power of politics and public service by understanding and meeting the daily concerns of constituents and organizing them into a political force; and

WHEREAS, President Hynes is survived by his wife, Judith; his sons, Deputy Governor Dan Hynes, Matt Hynes, and Thomas Hynes; his daughter, Leah Griffin; and 10 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former Illinois Senate President Thomas Hynes 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 President Hynes as an expression of our deepest sympathy.