SR0756LRB104 21694 MST 37283 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of former Illinois State Representative 
4Barbara Flynn Currie, a distinguished public servant and 
5former House Majority Leader, who passed away on April 16, 
62026; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin to 
8Francis and Elsie Flynn and moved at a young age to the South 
9Side of Chicago, where she developed a lifelong commitment to 
10public service; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie pursued her education at the 
12University of Chicago, earning both her bachelor's and 
13master's degrees in political science, and proceeded to serve 
14in civic and academic roles, including with the League of 
15Women Voters of Chicago, DePaul University, and the National 
16Opinion Research Center; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie served the people of Illinois with 
18exceptional dedication for four decades in the Illinois House 
19of Representatives from 1979 to 2019; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie made history as the first woman to 
21serve as Majority Leader of the Illinois House of 
 
 
SR0756- 2 -LRB104 21694 MST 37283 r

1Representatives, holding that position for more than two 
2decades and helping shape the legislative direction of our 
3State; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie, throughout her tenure, was widely 
5respected for her intellect, integrity, and positive energy in 
6the legislative process, as well as for her commitment to 
7mentorship and public service; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie played a key role in advancing the 
9establishment of the Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit, a 
10policy that provides critical financial relief to low- and 
11moderate-income working families, encourages workforce 
12participation, and helps reduce poverty across the State; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie was instrumental in the repeal of the 
14death penalty in Illinois, reflecting a commitment to justice, 
15the prevention of wrongful convictions, and the recognition of 
16the moral and ethical concerns surrounding capital punishment; 
17and
 
18    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie contributed to the legalization of 
19marriage equality, ensuring that all individuals, regardless 
20of sexual orientation, are afforded equal rights and 
21protections under the law and strengthening the principles of 
22fairness and inclusion; and
 
 
 
SR0756- 3 -LRB104 21694 MST 37283 r

1    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie supported measures prohibiting sexual 
2harassment in the workplace, helping to create safer, more 
3equitable work environments and reinforcing the fundamental 
4right of all individuals to dignity and respect on the job; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie advanced reforms to Illinois' school 
6funding system, promoting greater equity and adequacy in 
7education funding so that all students, regardless of their 
8community, have access to quality educational opportunities; 
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie helped expand access to all-day 
11kindergarten, recognizing the importance of early childhood 
12education in improving long-term academic outcomes and 
13supporting working families; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie, in recognition of her distinguished 
15service, was awarded the Simon-Edgar Award in 2022 for her 
16forceful, creative, and consequential leadership in the 
17Illinois General Assembly, exemplifying statesmanship, 
18bipartisanship, and a steadfast ability to earn respect and 
19find common ground across party lines; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie was known for her civility, ability 
21to work across party lines, and unwavering belief in 
 
 
SR0756- 4 -LRB104 21694 MST 37283 r

1responsive government; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie was married to celebrated American 
3legal scholar and Professor of Law at the University of 
4Chicago Law School, David Currie, for 47 years; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie served as head of the Illinois 
6Pollution Control Board upon her retirement from the Illinois 
7House of Representatives, a position her husband, David 
8Currie, also served in as the first ever chair of that board; 
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie is survived by her children, Stephen 
11and Margaret, and by four grandchildren; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Rep. Currie's legacy endures through the 
13countless public officials she mentored and the generations of 
14Illinoisans who have benefited from her work; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing 
17and celebrate the life and commitment to public service of 
18former Illinois State Representative Barbara Flynn Currie; and 
19be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 
 
SR0756- 5 -LRB104 21694 MST 37283 r

1presented to the family of Rep. Currie as an expression of our 
2deepest sympathy.