Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0304

SR0304 LRB104 13548 MST 26036 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Thomas Patrick Hardy of Hinsdale, who passed away on March 27, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Hardy was raised in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood, graduating from Brother Rice High School and later from Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy continued his education at Northwestern University, where he graduated from the Medill School of Journalism; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy had a long, distinguished career in journalism, government, and public affairs; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy began his career in journalism at the Chicago Tribune, first as a copy clerk and later as a political writer and columnist, where his work included traveling with candidates to cover three presidential campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy also served as a frequent analyst for public affairs programming on WGN-TV and WTTW-TV during his years as an active private-sector journalist; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy became press secretary for Governor Jim Edgar after two decades at the Chicago Tribune; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy then became a managing director of public affairs for Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm, before joining the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy had recently retired from the University of Illinois after nearly two decades, rising to the rank of chief spokesman and executive director of the Office of University Relations for the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy was an athletic man and a sought-after partner for golf tournaments; he enjoyed playing soccer and racquetball and loved snow skiing, often with his father, siblings, and two sons; and

WHEREAS, Tom Hardy was an unpretentious and generous man; he was easy going with a great sense of humor and a big smile to match; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Hardy leaves behind his loving fiancée, Suzanne "Sue" Schoij, who was by his side for almost 12 years; his sons whom he adored, Kevin Thomas (Kate) and Brian Patrick; his granddaughters, Clare and Nora; his siblings, Christine Ann Hardy (Tim Cornillie), Steven Michael (Terry), Cathlyn Jane (Steve) Kroml and Brian Richard (Ellen); and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Thomas Patrick Hardy 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 Sue Schoij as a symbol of our deepest sympathy.