SR0485 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0485 LRB102 19989 LAW 28774 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of retired State Senator William "Bill" R. Haine, who passed away on August 16, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine was born to James Delos Haine and Mary Alice Haine in Alton on August 8, 1944, the second of four sons; he was baptized at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Alton; he attended St. Patrick's Grade School and Marquette High School in Alton; he earned his bachelor's degree from St. Louis University; he then enlisted and served in Vietnam as a member of the First Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) where he earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Combat Operations; upon returning home from his military service, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from St. Louis University; he married Anna Francis Schickel at the Grailville Oratory in Loveland, Ohio on August 7, 1971; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine began his legal career as a clerk for George Moran on the Fifth District Appellate Court; he soon became an assistant public defender while entering into private practice with Randy Bono in Wood River; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine's long and distinguished career of public service began with his election to the Madison County Board, where he served from 1978 to 1988; he was then elected to multiple terms as a state's attorney, serving from 1988 to 2002, and as a state senator, serving from 2002 to 2018; he was serving on the Illinois Board of Elections at the time of his death; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine served as Chair of the Insurance Committee, Majority Caucus Whip, and Assistant Majority leader during his time in the Illinois Senate and gained a reputation for working across the aisle on issues important to Alton, his Senate district, and the entire State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine was the legislative architect of a sweeping plan to modernize the levee system in the Metro East region, an effort that has helped protect homes and businesses from flood damage in recent years; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine drew upon his distinguished, award-winning law enforcement background from his time as Madison County State's Attorney to sponsor, negotiate, and win approval of the state's medical marijuana law that balanced compassionate use with stringent standards and regulations; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine was widely recognized as the historian of the Senate, whose telling of personal reminiscences, local and state history, and national lore provided not only meaningful insight during Senate proceedings but often moments of levity; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine was a true statesman and a gentleman whose studied and reasoned consideration of legislation and practical approach to politics earned the esteem and admiration of his Senate colleagues, many of whom considered him a mentor; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine became a member of St. Mary's Parish when St. Patrick's closed and was often a lector at Mass; he was a member of many civic and religious organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and

WHEREAS, Despite Bill Haine's many awards and accomplishments, he considered the crowning achievement of his life to be his marriage to his wife Anna, whom he met in college, and the family they built together; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine elevated everything he did with his example, his humor, his good taste, his love of truth, and his faith, and his counsel was sought by many; he was a great lover of art, music, and, his favorite subject, history; he could often be found reading the newspaper or a good book; he was devoted to his hometown and took daily walks with his wife through the Middletown neighborhood, where he was born, lived, and died; and

WHEREAS, Bill Haine is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anna; his three brothers, Jim (Madeleine) Haine, John (Sue) Haine, and Tom (Pat) Haine; his children, Cecilia Philippine, Elizabeth (Nathan) Schlueter, Mary (Peter) Burkett, Margaret (Zeke) Balan, Alice (John) Stirton, Thomas (Eva Marie) Haine, and Joseph Haine; his 38 grandchildren, Alexander (Ashley) Jaworski, Madeleine Jaworski, Eleanor Jaworski, Gabriel Jaworski, Xavier Jaworski, Leo Schlueter, Helen Schlueter, Emil Schlueter, Karol Schlueter, Mary Schlueter, William Schlueter, Margaret Schlueter, Judith Schlueter, John Paul Schlueter, Rosaria Burkett, James Burkett, Stella Burkett, Faith Burkett, Edward Burkett, John Balan, Peter Balan, Agnes Balan, Joseph Balan, Jude Balan, Mercea Balan, Moses Balan, Elijah Balan, Anna Stirton, Mary Stirton, James Stirton, Lucia Stirton, Peter Stirton, Cecilia Stirton, Sarah Stirton, Anselm Haine, Joseph Haine, Gabriel Haine, and Sophia Haine; his one grandchild on the way; and his great-grandchild, Julian Jaworski; 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 William "Bill" R. Haine 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 Bill Haine as an expression of our deepest sympathy.