SR0217 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0217 LRB103 31947 LAW 60695 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Laurence Msall of Inverness, formerly of Oak Park, who passed away on February 4, 2023 at the age of 61; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was born in Chicago on January 3, 1962 to parents Emil and Lucille (Kotewa) Msall; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep and Knox College; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1992; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was a recipient of the 1992 Loyola Leadership and Service Award; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Knox College in 1984, Laurence Msall moved to Springfield to work for then-Governor Jim Thompson at the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) and served as DCCA's chief legislative liaison; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall joined the staff of the Commercial Club of Chicago in 1990 as vice president, where he worked to promote regional economic development strategies and special projects, including the Soldier Field rehab and reorganization of the United Way of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall served as secretary to the Commercial Club Foundation and as vice president of the Civic Committee; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was appointed by then-Governor George H. Ryan as Senior Advisor for Economic Development in 1999, where he oversaw eleven of the State's economic development and infrastructure-related agencies; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was a member of the Civic Federation, a bipartisan research organization working to reduce government costs and improve public services; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall spent the last 21 years as president of the Civic Federation; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was an active member of St. Giles Catholic Parish in Oak Park and Holy Family in Inverness; and

WHEREAS, Over the course of his professional career, Laurence Msall earned the trust and respect of Illinois elected officials, policymakers, and policy advocates alike for his wise and thoughtful counsel on fiscal and budget matters; he regularly provided input and feedback in the government and public arenas and was highly regarded and admired for his intelligence, honesty, and insight as well as his friendly and respectful manner; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was a committed supporter of the non-profit L'Arche Chicago, which works to help adults with intellectual disabilities lead happy, fulfilling lives; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall married Nicola Hill in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was an avid runner, devoted Chicago White Sox and Bruce Springsteen fan, fisherman, world traveler, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was a longtime honorary member of the Harmon family and was a mentor and an all-around sounding board to Senate President Don Harmon, encompassing the Oak Park and St. Ignatius days, Knox College and the practice of law, Tuesday Night Hoops, and Family Mass; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was preceded in death by his mother, his father, and his brother, Gerard Peter; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall is survived by his wife, Nicola; his three daughters, Lucille, Camille, and Matilda; Nicola's children, Alex (Maria), Samantha (Michael), Tommy, Tess, and Oscar; his three grandchildren, Valerie, Owen, and newly born Reece Laurence; eight of his siblings, Michael (Karla), Anita, Karin (Steve) Fischer, Mary (Scott) Rogers, Camille, Madeleine (Frank Mauceri), Christianne, and Julianne (Christopher) Pegler; his first wife, Mary Jo Smith; and his many nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Laurence Msall will be missed by his family, many friends, colleagues, and the community whom he knew and loved; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Laurence Msall 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 Laurence Msall as an expression of our deepest sympathy.