HR0409 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0409 LRB103 34293 LAW 64119 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader William B. "Bill" Black of Danville, who passed away on September 9, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Bill Black was born in Danville on November 11, 1941; he was raised in a small-business family; he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from William Jewell College in Missouri, followed by a master's degree in education from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Exercising his interest in the Danville community, Bill Black became a leader at the Danville Area Community College; he was a member of the Vermilion County Board from 1976 to 1986, serving as chairman from 1981 to 1983; and

WHEREAS, In February 1986, Bill Black was appointed to join the Illinois House of Representatives, representing Danville and many of its surrounding communities, after his predecessor in the Illinois House, Harry "Babe" Woodyard, accepted an appointment to the Illinois Senate in 1986; he was elected to his first full term in the Illinois House in November 1986; and

WHEREAS, As a member of the Republican caucus, Bill Black developed an interest and expertise in issues concerning community colleges, higher education, mental health, the LI-HEAP program of energy assistance for persons with challenged incomes, the fight against DUI moving violators, and many other programs; he was appointed to committees on these issues, serving repeatedly as a spokesperson; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Bill Black was named one of the ten Outstanding State Legislators in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Repeatedly demonstrating his knowledge and expertise on issues of importance to all members of the Illinois House from every region of the State, particularly members of the House Republican Caucus, Bill Black became the acknowledged floor leader of the Caucus, leading the Republican side in many House discussions and debates, with the title of House Assistant Minority Leader; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, when Bill Black announced his plans to become a private citizen in the company of his wife Sharon, his children, and his grandchildren, his colleagues paid tribute to him in an extraordinary display on the Illinois House floor, with more than 30 of his colleagues rising, one after the other, to recount stories of his wisdom and temperament as a leader for them all; and

WHEREAS, Although Bill Black was looking forward to his retirement, his community and his state capital gave him a new round of duties; he was elected by his neighbors to the Danville City Council as an alderman in 2011; he was appointed to the Springfield-based Procurement Policy Board in 2013, and he joined the Danville Area Community College (DACC) Board of Trustees by appointment in 2014; appearing once again on Danville-area-wide ballots, he was elected to the DACC Board of Trustees in 2015, serving until 2021; and

WHEREAS, Bill Black was recognized by the Danville Area Community College for his continued service with the building and naming of the new William B. Black Health Professions Center in his honor, with the center constituting a health professions hub that offers courses, certifications, and training in biomedical engineering, nursing, medical imaging, health information technology, emergency medical technology, medical assisting, nursing assisting, and phlebotomy; and

WHEREAS, Bill Black leaves behind a reputation as a giant in Illinois politics who was a happy warrior of the political battlefield; he will be remembered as a leader who fought for his Danville and Vermilion County communities and for all of the people of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bill Black is survived by his wife, Sharon; his daughter, Debra (Scott) Alexander; his son, Doug (DeeDee) Black; six grandchildren; his brother, Bob (Jackie) Black; and his stepsisters, Denia (Don) Zuch and Cathy Speerly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader William B. "Bill" Black 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 Bill Black as an expression of our deepest sympathy.