HR0753 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0753 LRB098 16047 MST 51099 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former Chicago radio personality Larry Lujack, who passed away on December 18, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lujack hit the Chicago airwaves in 1967 and brought with him a "crusty cantankerousness" that is credited with influencing present-day radio personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern; in 2000, he was approvingly called "a crabby coot dropping PG-rated acid bombs at a snail's pace" by the Chicago Sun-Times; and

WHEREAS, Known as "Uncle Lar" or "Superjock", Larry Lujack, first at WCFL-AM and later at WLS-AM, spent 20 years spinning records and spouting opinions; his frequent targets were the very albums he was playing, the very stations he was working for, and various rival D.J.s; he achieved notoriety with his segments "Klunk Letter of the Day", the "Cheap and Trashy Showbiz Report", and "Animal Stories" television segment, which was acknowledged by David Letterman as influencing his "Stupid Pet Tricks" television segment; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lujack's honors include membership in the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and the National Radio Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lujack was born Larry Lee Blankenburg in 1940 in Quasqueton, Iowa; at age 18, he joined KCID-AM in Caldwell, Idaho and adopted the surname of his idol, Chicago Bears quarterback Johnny Lujack; after working at various radio stations Idaho and Washington, he made his way to Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lujack was preceded in death by his son, John; and

WHEREAS, Larry Lujack is survived by his wife, Judith (nee Seguin); his children, Anthony Lujack and Linda Lujack-Shirley; his step-son, Taber Seguin; and his 2 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Larry Lujack, 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 Larry Lujack as an expression of our deepest sympathy.