HR0268 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0268 LRB104 13225 ECR 25394 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William F. "Bill" Murphy Jr., the former Mayor of the Village of Woodridge, who passed away on March 30, 2025; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy, the son of Dr. William Murphy and Agnes Murphy, graduated from Immaculate Conception Grade School in Elmhurst, Illinois, St. Bede Academy in Peru, Illinois, and St. Joseph's College in Collegeville, Indiana; he received a master's degree in education administration and supervision from Roosevelt University; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy began his career in education with Chicago Public Schools, where he worked for five years; he proceeded to work for Woodridge School District 68, where he served as a principal for five years and then as assistant superintendent for personnel, a position he held for 29 years; he retired in 2004 after 34 years of service; in retirement, he received the distinction of the Woodridge School District 68 Board of Education renaming the Woodridge Elementary School as the William F. Murphy Elementary School to honor his service to the school district and the community; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy was the longest-serving mayor in DuPage County; he was first elected as a village trustee to the Woodridge Village Board in 1973, serving for two four-year terms; he was then elected mayor in 1981; he was reelected seven times, serving a total of 32 years as mayor before stepping down in April 2013; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy was an active participant in local, regional, and national organizations, including serving as a two-time president of the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, as president of the Illinois Municipal League, as vice-chair of the Illinois International Port District, as a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and as a member of the National League of Cities Board of Directors and Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy dedicated his professional and personal life to serving the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community; he established the ProLogis Fund, which awards scholarships and grants annually to Woodridge High School graduates to help with college expenses; he also supported charitable initiatives, including the Woodridge Golden Years program, the Woodridge Community Resource Center, the Diversity Committee, and Support Our Troops; he formed the Quality Community Task Force to address the needs of local neighborhoods, and he was a champion of diversity initiatives, serving as a board member for the Community Pantry; he also sponsored the Robert Shields Memorial fundraiser and contributed to St. Scholastica Catholic Church in various roles, including as a longtime usher and a member of the Finance Committee; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy devoted more than 50 years to public service, including his 32 years as mayor, resulting in periods of transformation and progress for Woodridge; during his tenure, his selfless and compassionate leadership and vision in championing the Woodridge community became legendary, and he served as a mentor to many mayors, sharing his insights on how to build communities and be an effective leader and advocate; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy was the husband of Liz (Campbell) Murphy for over 58 years; the father of Jennifer (Larry) Lawson, Lisa (Doug) Young, William Murphy III, and Colleen (Tom) Bosche; the grandfather of six; the brother of Timothy, Anne Schiller, Jane Wangler, Mary Hauert, Charles Murphy, and Peggy Grobe; and the relative of many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and

WHEREAS, William Murphy was a lifelong, exemplary public servant whose legacy will live on through the Woodridge Village Hall at 5 Plaza Drive in Woodridge being renamed as the William F. Murphy Jr. Village Hall in honor of his service to the community and residents of Woodridge, which will be dedicated on April 25, 2025; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William F. "Bill" Murphy Jr., the former Mayor of the Village of Woodridge, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of William Murphy and the Village of Woodridge as an expression of our deepest sympathy.