SR0088 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0088 LRB102 16210 LAW 21589 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Anthony J. "Tony" Leone Jr. of Springfield, who passed away on February 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. was born in Springfield to Anthony J. Leone Sr. and Evelyn Mussato Leone on September 1, 1950; he graduated from Griffin High School; he earned his associate degree from Springfield College and his bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Illinois at Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. capped a long career in public service as the chief clerk of the Illinois House of Representatives between 1981 and 1983; he previously served as the assistant clerk of the House between 1979 and 1980, a position he held again between 1983 and 1992; he also held various positions at the Illinois State Board of Elections and the Springfield Election Commission; his first job was as the chief clerk of the Sangamon County Election Office; and

WHEREAS, Following his service to the Illinois House, Tony Leone Jr. served as director of the office's Index Department under then-Secretary of State George H. Ryan Sr.; he led a successful effort to reform and re-write the operational rules of the Illinois Lobbyist Registration Act; he served as chairman of the State Property Tax Appeal Board between 1990 and 1992, the Sangamon County Board of Review between 1985 and 1990, and the City of Springfield Rules and Regulations Review Commission between 1995 and 1999; he also served as vice-chairman of the 1992 Springfield Election Commission Advisory Task Force on the Springfield Metropolitan & Exposition Auditorium Authority, the Illinois Secretary of State Ethics Commission, the Illinois State Museum Board, and the Advisory Board of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; he served on the State commission that helped select the Illinois commemorative quarter design in 2003; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. was a nationally recognized innovator in the use of electronic recordkeeping and reporting for political campaign financial records and submissions; he opened Illinois Campaign Reporting Systems in 1985 and served as its president until 1999; he was also the principal of the Springfield-based lobbying firm Leone & Associates for many years; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. was a well-respected figure in Illinois Republican politics for 15 years; he was the executive director of the Sangamon County Republican Foundation; he served as the assistant treasurer of the Illinois Republican State Party for eight years; he was also the publisher of party newspaper The Republican for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. lovingly restored the 125 year old Pasfield House, located just west of the State Capitol complex, which he opened as a bed and breakfast and a unique event facility in 2002; over the years, he hosted a continuous stream of dinners, receptions, fundraisers, and events for numerous charitable causes, community award presentations, book signings, and political campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. was considered an expert on Springfield's early history and a strong proponent of the preservation of the city's historic sites; he served on the Illinois State Capitol Historic Preservation Advisory Board; he produced a photographic calendar that captured the beauty of the Illinois State Capitol's architecture in 2010; he was recognized by the General Assembly for his efforts to bring revitalization to the neighborhood directly west of the Illinois State Capitol complex in 2004; he also co-authored the book Springfield Celebrated Horseshoe Sandwich; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. was known for being jovial, full of life, gracious, and thoughtful; he enjoyed dining with friends, leading the table in old stories, self-deprecating humor, and laughing; when traveling outside of Springfield, he enjoyed visiting New Orleans, Louisiana and Charleston, South Carolina; he was admired and loved by many; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Tony Leone Jr. is survived by his significant other, Catherine L. "Cathy" Cragoe; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Anthony J. "Tony" Leone Jr. 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 Tony Leone Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.