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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to congratulate Michael K. "Mike" Durkin 
4on being inducted into the University of Illinois Athletics 
5Hall of Fame Class of 2025; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Mike Durkin in a native of Chicago; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Mike Durkin took up athletic life and academic 
8study at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign from 
91971 until his graduation in 1975; and
 
10    WHEREAS, As a college student, Mike Durkin embarked upon 
11the arduous course of studies necessary to apply to and enter 
12law school; and
 
13    WHEREAS, During the same period, Mike Durkin competed for 
14the University of Illinois as a track and field athlete, 
15earning Big Ten championships in nine separate events while 
16non-exclusively specializing in the statute mile and its 
17successor, the 1,500 meter dash; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Mike Durkin's Big Ten championships were earned 
19in meets held in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1975; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, During the same years at National Collegiate 
2Athletic Association (NCAA) meets, Mike Durkin finished five 
3times in the top ten; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Based on his record, Mike Durkin earned 
5All-American honors in track and field; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Mike Durkin trained to run in the Olympic Games 
7held in 1976 and 1980; he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team 
8for both games and competed in Montreal in 1976, although the 
9team did not go to Moscow in 1980 due to political decisions; 
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, While continuing his athletic career, Mike Durkin 
12studied law at the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating 
13in 1978 and passing the Illinois bar in the same year; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, Mike 
15Durkin has specialized in municipal law, which as practiced by 
16himself and his partners encompasses work in appellate 
17practice, civil litigation, commercial litigation, and 
18especially labor and employment law; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Mike Durkin is a founding partner of the firm of 
20Storino, Ramello & Durkin, with active practice areas in 
21municipal law and labor/employment law; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, In 2025, Mike Durkin is serving as the village 
2attorney for Elmwood Park, as well as enjoying the same 
3standing in Burr Ridge; in addition, he is the township 
4attorney for Proviso Township, Cook County; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Mike Durkin is one of the U.S. runners who have 
6been officially timed as having run a sub-four-minute statute 
7mile, as the NCAA and the institutions affiliated with the 
8NCAA hosted their final outdoor races at this distance in 1975 
9and partly switched over in the following year to the "metric 
10mile", the 1,500 meter; and
 
11    WHEREAS, With ten other athletes and coaches, Mike Durkin 
12was inducted into the company of the University of Illinois' 
13athletic immortals in a ceremony at the State Farm Center held 
14on October 10, 2025, signaling that several of his 
15achievements will never be matched or broken; therefore, be it
 
16    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
17HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
18we congratulate Michael K. "Mike" Durkin on being inducted 
19into the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Class 
20of 2025; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we recognize Mike Durkin for his excellence 
 
 
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1on outdoor tracks, on indoor tracks, and on the exceedingly 
2fast track of Illinois law; and be it further
 
3    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
4presented to Mike Durkin as a symbol of our respect and esteem.