HR0404 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0404 LRB098 12228 MST 46347 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Calvin "Cal" R. Sutker of Skokie, who passed away on April 25, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Sutker was born in Forest Park and attended Proviso High School before his family moved to Chicago; he attended Austin High School, where he met his wife-to-be, Phyllis; he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, serving in Germany, France, and Austria during World War II; he was a member of the battalion that first entered the Dachu concentration camp and liberated its prisoners on April 29, 1945; he earned his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Upon receiving his law degree following World War II, Calvin Sutker moved his family to Skokie and began practicing law; in 1973, he left his practice to join the Illinois Secretary of State's office as chief hearing officer; in 1978, he became the chief attorney for the Cook County Forest Preserve District; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Sutker began his political career when he was elected to the Skokie Village Board from 1965-1969, where he helped to pass one of the first fair housing ordinances in the State, known as the "Skokie Plan"; in 1973, he was elected Democratic Committeeman of Niles Township, a position he held for 33 years until 2006; from 1985 to 1991, he served 3 2-year terms in the Illinois House of Representatives and 8 years on the Cook County Board from 1994 to 2002; he also served as Illinois State Central Committeeman, chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party (1983-1986), and Democratic National Committeeman; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Sutker's contributions to politics and his community are everywhere to be found; he was a member of the Caucus Party that has held all of the Skokie government seats for decades; he was instrumental in the creation of the North Shore Sculpture Park at the east end of the village and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; he was president of Old Orchard B'nai Brith, chairman of the Anti-Defamation League of Metropolitan Chicago, and chairman of the March of Dimes of Niles Township; he was invaluable in bringing the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park and the 2nd District Courthouse to Skokie; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Sutker was active in Jewish charitable causes and a staunch supporter of NA'AMAT USA; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Sutker was known for accumulating a large library of books and it was not unheard of for those who spent time with him to walk away with a book from his collection; and

WHEREAS, In 2006, the Cook County Board named a portion of the Cook County Forest Preserve near the Illinois Holocaust Museum for Calvin Sutker in recognition of his years of service to the people of the county; other awards and recognitions include the Ethel Parker Award from the Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI), the IVI's Best Legislator Award, the Sylvia Award from the Pro-Choice Alliance, the Legislative Humanitarian Award from the Coalition of Suburban Bar Associations, and the Shaare Zedek Medical Center of Jerusalem Award; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Sutker was the dearly beloved husband of the late Phyllis (nee Twery); devoted father of Sharon Sutker McGowan (Jim McGowan), Shelley Sutker-Dermer (Kenneth Dermer), Edie Sue Sutker (David Richmond), and Allen Sutker (Karen Sutker); the loving grandfather of Jennifer and Joshua McGowan, Elana and Jake Dermer, and Dani, Niki, Tommy, and Teddy Sutker; the dear brother of Irwin (the late Carla) Sutker and Ada (Beryl) Rabinowitz; the brother-in-law of Marsha Kline and the late David Kline; and he will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Calvin Sutker, 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 Calvin Sutker as an expression of our deepest sympathy.