SR1190 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1190 LRB102 28950 ECR 40845 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Craig Crowl Hart, who passed away on August 27, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart was born to Fred J. Hart and Katheryne Crowl Hart in Streator on January 11, 1934; he graduated from Streator High School in 1952, where he played basketball and football; he studied Accounting at the University of Illinois, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and the Naval ROTC program; he was commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Navy, serving on active duty at the Norfolk Naval Air Station for two years; he later earned his MBA from the University of Illinois; he married Alice Bower in Bloomington in 1956; he later married Jane Heggie Major in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart began his career at an accounting firm in Bloomington in 1958; he then joined the Bloomington Federal Savings and Loan Association; he was named president of Bloomington Federal, later Champion Federal, in 1971; he led the company for 21 years, overseeing its growth into the largest financial institution in downstate Illinois; he retired from banking in 1992; he then focused his time and energy on building the senior care companies Heritage Enterprises, now Heritage Health, and Green Tree Pharmacy, which he and his partners founded in 1960; and

WHEREAS, During his banking career, Craig Hart belonged to various trade association groups, including the U.S. League of Savings Institutions, the Illinois League of Savings Institutions, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, and the Federal Savings and Loan Council of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart held several leadership roles across a number of organizations, including the Bloomington-Normal Jaycees, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, the Commerce Unit of the United Way of McLean County, the Bloomington Unlimited Downtown Development Committee, the McLean County Art Association, the Bloomington Country Club, State Farm Bank, the McLean County Historical Society, the University of Illinois College of Commerce Advisory Council, the Illinois State University Business Advisory Council, and the Illinois State University Foundation; he dedicated his time to Illinois Wesleyan University for 24 years, culminating in him serving as president of the Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2005; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart was named the second most influential person in McLean County by Bloomington's WJBC radio station and became the namesake of the Hart Career Center at Illinois Wesleyan University; he was also honored as a Significant Sig, elected to Who's Who in Business, and named a 2017 History Maker by the McLean County Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart was a loyal and true friend; he was a lifelong and passionate supporter of the Fighting Illini, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears; he enjoyed spending time at his homes at Lake Bloomington and in the Arizona desert and at almost any golf course; he will be remembered for being his family's staunchest supporter; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bruce Hart; his daughters, Mollie Hart and Allison Hart; and his stepdaughter, Laura Major Burdick; and

WHEREAS, Craig Hart is survived by his wife, Jane; his sons, Bruce (Nadine) Hart, Brian (Lora Hall) Hart, and Benjamin Hart; his sister, Nan (Jerry) Westwood; his grandchildren, Chase Hart, Michael Hart, Helene Hart, Lauren Hart, and Alex Hart; and his nieces and nephews, Todd (Shannon) Hart, Leslie (Van) Friederich, Allan (Kim) Hart, Cara (Rex) McCrary, and Heather Jeter; 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 Craig Crowl Hart 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 Craig Hart as an expression of our deepest sympathy.