SR0118 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0118 LRB094 08666 HSS 40897 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Linda J. Bourke Hilbert of Elmhurst on Thursday, January 20, 2005; and

WHEREAS, She was born in Oak Park, raised in Elmhurst, and graduated from York Community High School after which she received some nursing training; she then took an office position at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, where she stayed for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 30 years ago, she married Richard Hilbert and the couple started a janitorial cleaning service called Rulirist Enterprises in Addison; although she did not graduate from nursing school, she wanted to use some of the skills she had learned and took care of elderly individuals in their homes; and

WHEREAS, Through much of her adult life, Mrs. Hilbert was involved in Democratic party politics; when she was elected to the DuPage County Board in 2000, she was the first Democrat elected to that board since the 1980s, and one of only a handful since the Civil War; she served on the County Board for a two-year term; instead of taking on an adversarial role, Mrs. Hilbert worked with her counterparts on the board; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Hilbert had a lifelong passion for preserving and protecting the environment; she was a people person and was well-liked; she deeply cared for the residents of DuPage County, especially for senior citizens and kids; she was an advocate for many; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Linda J. Bourke Hilbert has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, Richard Hilbert; her brother, Steven Bourke; and her mother, Ruth Bourke; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Linda J. Bourke Hilbert, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to her family as an expression of our sincere condolences.