SR0864 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0864 LRB102 26450 LAW 36859 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William Paul "Bill" Colson, longtime Chicago area resident, recently of St. James City, Pine Island, Florida, who passed away on January 21, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson was born on September 15, 1937; he was raised in Evergreen Park and attended Evergreen Park Public Grammar School; he graduated from Leo High School in 1955, John Carroll University in 1959, and Northwestern University School of Law in 1962, where he was editor of the Law Review and a member of the prestigious Order of the Coif; he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson dedicated his professional life to the pursuit of law, politics, and entrepreneurial endeavors; he was legal counsel and co-owner of a production company that produced concerts in the 1970s, showcasing such acts as Michael Jackson and the Jackson Family, Ike and Tina Turner, and Ray Charles; he founded the law firm Hynes, Colson, and Karnezis with his friends and colleagues the Honorable Thomas Hynes, Robert Hynes, and the Honorable Themis Karnezis; he joined the law firm Finkel and Martwick, which continues as Finkel, Martwick & Colson today; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson served as the South Side campaign manager with Thomas Hynes for Richard J. Daley for mayor in 1967; he was the statewide campaign director for Paul Simon for lieutenant governor in 1968; he managed multiyear campaigns for Thomas Hynes' run for Illinois Senate, Cook County Assessor, and Chicago Mayor; he also managed multiyear campaigns for Thomas Tully for Cook County Assessor and Neil Hartigan for Illinois Attorney General; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson was the past president of the South Suburban Bar; he served as the attorney of Oak Lawn Village for multiple years; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, an avid fisherman, and a golfer dedicated to lowering his handicap; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson was truly respected by all who knew him; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Eileen (Scott) Colson, and his former wife, Lenore T. Colson; and

WHEREAS, Bill Colson is survived by his children, Candace (Donald) Mitchell, Leah (Patrick) Carney, Paul (Stephanie), and Brian (Teresa); his grandchildren, Kate Mitchell, Matthew Mitchell, Michael Mitchell, Brianna Carney, Patrick Carney Jr., Sophia Colson, Olivia Colson, Jack Colson, Finn Colson, Madelyn Colson, and Grace Colson; his spirited dog, Sebastian; his younger sisters, Judi Ross and Kathi (Bob) Mele; his sister-in-law, Ann Kearney; his many Scott cousins, nieces, and nephews; his many loyal friends; his dear friend, Jane Lavelle; his trusted right hand for decades, Zoe Swanson; and his companion, Meredith "Deanie" Peper; 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 Paul "Bill" Colson 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 Colson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.