SR0607 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0607 LRB103 35322 LAW 65371 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bruce Simon of Springfield, who passed away on October 23, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon was born to Fred and Nancy (Fell) Simon in Chicago on December 9, 1948; he spent his younger years in Gary, Indiana; he earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana State University, where he was student body president; he served as a medic and drug counselor in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; he married Marguerite Feeley on July 25, 1987; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon worked for Indiana U.S. Senator Vance Hartke and then as a legislative liaison at a variety of state agencies providing human services; after leaving state government, he had a successful career as a lobbyist for more than 25 years, primarily representing clients in healthcare related fields; he was also a co-founder of The Association of Safety Net Community Hospitals in Illinois and helped to establish the Medicaid data warehouse; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon was involved in many community programs, including serving as a member of the Springfield Public School Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon was the recipient of many awards for outstanding public service to people in need; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon was a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, and he was a proud founding member of the bipartisan White Sox Caucus in Springfield; he was devoted to his family and reveled in their activities and accomplishments, and he cherished spending time with them, including going to the movies and on family vacations to Disney World, Coronado, Michigan, and Ireland; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon will be remembered as a selfless, thoughtful, and compassionate man; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ed Simon and Bobby Simon; his nephew, Tom Zimmerman; and his parents-in-law, Jim Feeley and Mary Beth Feeley; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Simon is survived by his wife; his children, Eileen (Patrick) Besler, Mary Kate Simon, and Michael Simon; his grandchildren, Peter Patrick and William Bruce Besler; his sisters, Leslie (Bob) Zimmerman and Mary (Mike) Groves; his brothers, Dave (Karen) Simon, Gerry (Donna) Simon, Mike Simon, and Danny (Alison) Simon; his aunt, Fran Fell; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bruce Simon 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 Bruce Simon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.