SR0502 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0502 LRB102 19984 LAW 28769 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ann M. Laurence of Springfield, who passed away on August 17, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Ann Laurence was born in Freeport to Howard and Frances Laurence on March 24, 1948; she graduated from Freeport High School in 1966; she attended Highland Community College and the University of Illinois Circle Campus in Chicago; she married Ross Richardson in Lake City, Colorado in August 1973; and

WHEREAS, Ann Laurence worked at a public relations firm in Chicago for a time before joining the fledgling Dan Walker for Governor campaign as volunteer coordinator in 1971; she ran for delegate to the Democratic Convention in Miami in 1972 and won an unexpected victory when the luck of the draw gave her a top ballot position in a crowded field; she was profiled along with others by Newsweek magazine as a representative of the cosmic demographic shift from 1968 for delegates to the Democratic National Convention; she attended the convention and proudly voted to nominate George McGovern for president; she moved to Springfield to join the Dan Walker administration in 1973, where she served as assistant to Director John Houlihan of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Alongside her husband, Ann Laurence opened The Feed Store on the Old Capitol Plaza in downtown Springfield in 1977; their restaurant quickly became a popular lunch spot and hosted locals and visitors for 43 years, including prominent politicians and celebrities; they decided to retire when the pandemic shut restaurants across Illinois, and they closed the restaurant in July 2020; and

WHEREAS, Ann Laurence spent her life fighting for equality and reproductive rights for women; while never elected to public office, she ran unsuccessfully for office twice, she actively participated in campaigns at all levels; she believed that everyone bears a responsibility to participate in civic life, and she acted accordingly; and

WHEREAS, Ann Laurence was the beloved wife, mother, friend, and mentor to many; she loved music, especially folk music, and never missed the Midnight Special radio program broadcast by WFMT; her two passions were food and politics, and she found fulfillment in both pursuits throughout her busy and productive life; and

WHEREAS, Ann Laurence was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Howard Laurence; and

WHEREAS, Ann Laurence is survived by her husband of 48 years, Ross Richardson, and her son, Daniel (Haley Klitzing) Laurence-Richardson; 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 Ann M. Laurence and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ann Laurence as an expression of our deepest sympathy.