HR0243 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0243 LRB094 11686 CSA 43416 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former State Representative Emil J. Boucek, formerly of Brookfield, on March 3, 2005, at his Willowbrook home; and

WHEREAS, As a young boy, Mr. Boucek campaigned with his father for local political causes and fell in love with politics; his enthusiasm to serve others played out when he was elected a State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly in the 1970s, serving three terms for constituents in Western Springs; and

WHEREAS, From 1977 to 1982, he served as a Republican State Representative in the 6th District; though he was known for his anti-gun control stance, he also sided with Democrats on issues he believed worthwhile; he was an advocate for property tax reform and tougher penalties for felons convicted of rape and child pornography, and a sponsor on a bill that required insurance for all Illinois drivers; and

WHEREAS, Before becoming a State legislator, Mr. Boucek served 16 years as a constable in Cook County and then as a village clerk in Brookfield; he also served as a bailiff in the 5th District of the Cook County Circuit Court, a position he held for 10 years; in the late 1950s, he worked as a private investigator and assisted the FBI in a diamond robbery case; and

WHEREAS, After three legislative sessions, he retired in 1982 and spent a lot of time golfing, fishing, and occasionally hunting; he took pride in his garden of roses and vegetables, and dabbled in growing grapes; and

WHEREAS, He was married to his wife Lillian for 67 years, and those close to them remembered their love; they also remembered him as a man of integrity; he was admired most for his honesty and his genuine concern for others; and

WHEREAS, He lived by three simple rules, which he passed on to his children - "treat people with respect, as you would want to be treated", "always, always tell the truth", and "leave your family with a good name"; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Emil J. Boucek is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his daughters, Jean Evan, Judith Knudsen, Sandra Gurgel, and Susan McSwine; his sons, Emil Jr., and Daniel; his brother, Robert; and his 22 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former State Representative Emil J. Boucek and extend our condolences to his family and express our appreciation for his exemplary service to his District and his State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of the esteem in which we hold the memory of Emil J. Boucek.