SR0454 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0454 LRB103 34096 LAW 63914 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Representative and State Senator Richard Nelson Luft of Pekin, who passed away on August 18, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft was born to Willis Richard and Beulah Frances (Jolly) Luft on March 14, 1938; he spent his early life in South Pekin, and he was thought to be the youngest survivor of the 1938 South Pekin Tornado; he attended Pekin Community High School (PCHS), where he played football, performed in school plays, and became interested in music; he attended the University of Illinois at Springfield, earning a bachelor's degree in political studies and a master's degree in public administration; he married Janice Thornton in 1963, and they had four children, Scott, Mark, Julie, and Darcy; he later married Jill Massey in Key West, Florida on April 1, 1991; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduation, Richard Luft taught sixth grade in Creve Coeur and Morton; he left teaching to pursue his passion for politics, and he was elected Auditor of Tazewell County in 1964 and served two terms; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979 and the Illinois State Senate from 1983 to 1993; his legislative assignments included the Committees on Commerce and Economic Development, Executive Appointments, Veterans' Affairs, Finance and Credit Regulations, Insurance Pensions and Licensed Activities, Local Government as vice-chair, Revenue as chairman, and the Economic and Fiscal Commission as co-chair; he also served as committeeman of the Democratic State Central Committee for the 18th District; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft was appointed by then-Governor Jim Edgar as commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies for the State in 1993, overseeing 662 state-chartered banks and 46 foreign banking offices; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft worked as a commercial and investment banker outside of politics, eventually leaving his political career for a consulting position with LaSalle Bank ABN AMRO in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft was a member of Ironwood Country Club for 25 years; he enjoyed golfing with friends at Ironwood Country Club and Pekin Country Club and on his annual political golfing excursion in Palm Springs, California; he loved swimming and took pleasure in taking morning swims at Pekin Country Club with his friend, Bill; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft enjoyed traveling the world together with his wife, Jill, before finally settling in Palm Desert, California for the winter season; he also enjoyed playing his guitar, songwriting, and singing late into the night; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft dearly loved and was proud of his family; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft was preceded in death by his grandson, Marshall Lawson; his parents; and his brother, Thomas Lee Luft; and

WHEREAS, Richard Luft is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jill; his children, Scott (Carmen) Luft, Mark (Lelonie) Luft, Julie (Derek) Guidotti, and Darcy (Chris) Lawson; his grandchildren, Matthew Luft, Andrew (Krista) Luft, Morgan (Zachary) Murtha, Elizabeth (Jeff) Kaeb, Michael (Sarah) Luft, Abby Dobrei, Gaby Peyton, and Garrett Lawson; nine great-grandchildren; his cousin, Joanne (Luft) Miller; and his friend and brother in his heart, Denny Sullivan; 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 former Illinois State Representative and State Senator Richard Nelson Luft 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 Richard Luft as an expression of our deepest sympathy.