SR0718 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0718 LRB101 14596 ALS 63506 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Stanley M. Freehling of Highland Park, who passed away on September 20, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was born in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago; he attended the University of Chicago and received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Stockholm; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was a Senior Partner with Freehling and Company, a New York Stock Exchange firm, for decades; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was devoted to the civic life of Chicago; he served as a Life Trustee of the University of Chicago and as a trustee of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, Lake Forest College, and the Chicago Public Library; he was instrumental in identifying and funding many works of public art in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling's greatest passion was for the arts; his long association with the Art Institute began in 1950, when he volunteered to serve as treasurer; he continued to serve on many boards and committees; more than 250 works in the permanent collection are credited to him and his wife; their connoisseurship and devotion to works on paper were recognized by the Art Institute in 2008 with the exhibition Collecting for Chicago: Prints, Drawings and Patronage; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling raised millions of dollars for many venerable institutions, including the Ravinia Festival, the Arts Club of Chicago, and the Goodman Theatre; he served as Chairman of Ravinia, President of the Arts Club, a Life Trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Chairman of the Sustaining Fellows of the Art Institute; he served as a trustee of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Hubbard Street Dance Company; he served as the Chairman of the Illinois Arts Council and as a member of the Chicago Theatre Group, the National Corporate Theatre Fund, and Sadler's Wells Theatre Association in London; and

WHEREAS, As the Founding Chairman of the Goodman Theatre, Stanley Freehling launched a two million dollar campaign in the 1970s to make the Theatre a self-governed institution, independent of the Art Institute; he started the first capital fund drive at Ravinia to raise more than 2.2 million to rebuild the Pavilion stage, enlarge the orchestra pit, and install a new sound system; he also guided the establishment of the park's collection of outdoor sculpture; Ravinia held a special place in his heart, as it was where he met his future wife, Joan Steif; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling received many honors and awards, including the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award, the Harvard Club of Chicago Award, the Grant Park Symphony Special Award, the Rosary College Bravo Award, the Sydney Yates Arts Advocacy Award, the American Jewish Committee's Human Rights Award, the Anti-Defamation League Distinguished Service Award, the Friends of Literature Award, the first Governor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Illinois, the International Visitor's Center Gold Medallion Award, the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Service Award, and the Harold Washington History Maker Award for Distinction in Public Service; in 1985, Ronald Reagan appointed him to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities; he was the recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Life Achievement in the Theatre and the Merit Music Program's Alice S. Pfaelzer Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was a member of many clubs, including the Mid-Day Club and the Commercial Club; he was a lifelong member of the Lake Shore Country Club; he was an avid golfer and sports fan and loved the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox; he and Joan were active travelers and visited every continent throughout their decades together; he especially enjoyed a dry Beefeater martini, a good meal, and the company of good friends; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Joan, and his brothers, Julius and Herbert; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling is survived by his daughters, Maggie Freehling Phillips and Elizabeth (Debbie) Weidner; his son, Robert Freehling; Dominique Parducci; his sons-in-law, Joseph Weidner and Scott Phillips; his grandchildren, Benjamin Weidner, Sam Phillips, Max Phillips, Rosalind Parducci, Daniel Freehling; his great-grandchild, Noah Freehling; his sister-in-law, Caryl Freehling; his nephews, Jim and Tom Freehling; his niece, Julie Frodl; his caregivers, Verginia Maeva and Maya Tonina; and his indispensable friend and assistant, Karen Love; 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 Stanley M. Freehling 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 Stanley Freehling as an expression of our deepest sympathy.