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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Richard 
4Duchossois, who passed away on January 28, 2022 at the age of 
5100; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was born in Chicago on October 
77, 1921; he was raised in Beverly and attended Morgan Park 
8Military Academy from which he graduated in 1940; he attended 
9Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Kentucky; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, During World War II, Richard Duchossois served in 
11the United States Army with distinction as commander of the 
12610th Tank Destroyer Battalion, landing on Utah Beach in 
13Normandy and serving under the 80th Division of General George 
14Patton's Third Army; later, he led his battalion in the Battle 
15of the Bulge; in recognition of his service, he was awarded the 
16Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois joined the Thrall Car 
18Manufacturing Company, becoming CEO and president; he 
19subsequently purchased the Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp. and 
20became its chairman; later, it was  renamed Duchossois 
21Industries; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois purchased and developed Hill 
2'N' Dale Farm in Barrington Hills in McHenry County in 1967, 
3which became one of Illinois' top thoroughbred breeding farms; 
4in 1983, he purchased Arlington Park Race Track, which later 
5merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2000; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois, affectionately known as "Mr. 
7D", developed Arlington Park International Race Track into one 
8of the most beautiful and renowned horse racing facilities in 
9the world; he was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of 
10Fame and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, where 
11he was named one their Pillars of the Turf; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois established the Duchossois 
13Family Foundation (DFF), which has made donations in excess of 
14$137 million to the University of Chicago Medical Center that 
15culminated in the establishment of the Duchossois Family 
16Institute and has made substantial impacts upon dozens of 
17charitable organizations benefiting thousands of people in 
18Illinois and across the United States through other 
19philanthropic grants; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois received the Sword of Loyola 
21Award from Loyola University in Chicago in 2014; he became a 
22Director of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, 
23continuing his dedication to his country and to the mission of 
 
 
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1educating current and future generations that freedom and 
2independence are not free; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was preceded in death by his 
4first wife, Beverly, and their beloved son, R. Bruce 
5Duchossois; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois is survived by his wife, Mary 
7Judith McKeage Duchossois, who he married in 2000 and who has 
8lovingly stood by his side for all business, philanthropic, 
9and family endeavors; his son, Craig J. (Janet) Duchossois; 
10his daughter, Dayle Duchossois (Ed) Fortino; his daughter, 
11Kimberly Duchossois; his stepsons, Steve (Sherrie) Marchi and 
12Paul (Judy) Marchi; seven grandchildren and spouses;  two 
13step-grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; therefore, be 
14it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
17we mourn the passing of Richard L. Duchossois, commend his 
18service to the community and the nation, and extend our 
19sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew 
20and loved him; and be it further
  
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
22presented to the family of Richard L. Duchossois as an 
 
 
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1expression of our deepest sympathy.