HR0016 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0016 LRB099 03570 GRL 23578 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the passing of a respected former State employee, Francis N. "Frank" Kopel, on November 30, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel was born on May 28, 1949 in Moline; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel graduated from United Township High School in 1967; he subsequently studied Political Science at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government in 1971 and Master of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Law in 1976; he later continued his formal education at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, earning a Master of Arts degree in Urban Politics in 1978 and completing Ph.D. coursework related to municipal finance; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel began his public service as a caseworker with the Cook County Department of Public Aid in Chicago in 1972; in 1979, he began working as a research analyst for the United States House of Representatives' Committee on House Administration in Washington, D.C.; later that year, he began his long career with the Illinois Department of Public Aid (now the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services) as an Assistant Manager of the Bureau of Planning and Evaluation; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Francis Kopel took on added responsibility in the Department of Public Aid's Divisions of Medical Programs and Finance; he was selected to be Deputy Administrator of Medical Programs in 2009 and Administrator of the Division of Finance in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel's tenure at the Department spanned the administrations of several Governors, including Daniel Walker, James Thompson, Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich, and Pat Quinn, as well as many agency Directors, including Jeffrey C. Miller, Carl Mankowicz, Gregory Coler, Michael Taylor, Edward Duffy, Kathleen Briedert-Kustra, Susan Suter, Phillip Bradley, Robert W. Wright, Linda Renee Baker, Joan Walters, Theron Aslaksen, Ann Patla, Jackie Garner, A. George Hovanec, Barry S. Maram, and Julie Hamos; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel assisted in the development and implementation of major welfare reform initiatives, including the landmark 2012 Save Medicaid Access and Resources Together Act and nursing home and hospital reimbursement methodologies that were critical to Illinois being able to provide services efficiently and effectively to millions of children, adults, seniors, and persons with disabilities; he also aided in the development of provider assessment programs that have brought additional billions of dollars and additional resources for the State's Medicaid Program; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel was a Bureau Chief responsible for reimbursement and analysis for many years; he taught and mentored many employees in federal financing, local government Medicaid financing, intergovernmental agreements, rate methodologies, and other intricacies of the Medicaid program; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel will be remembered by his colleagues at the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services and within the administrations of many Governors as an intelligent, caring, skillful, and thoughtful analyst, administrator, supervisor, and friend whose input was always valued; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel's colleagues report that one of his greatest strengths was his ability to make sense of computer systems that were used for eligibility determination and benefits processing, to the extent that he could understand those systems and write the computer programs that made it possible for him to independently retrieve data from the systems quickly and provide top agency administrators more immediate access to data they needed for program and policy planning; he could then pass on that knowledge and skill to other employees and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel loved a challenge to think creatively and take on big problems, including a 1987 original proposal for comprehensive national welfare reform; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel's creativity, ability, and dedication to public service also contributed to his effective consultation and collaboration with others outside of the Department, including social and medical service organizations and the Illinois General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement on December 31, 2012, Francis Kopel's record of public service and accomplishments were recognized by Governor Pat Quinn in a special Proclamation issued on December 13, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel was preceded in death by his father, Francis Kopel, and his father-in-law, Ralph Voigts; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel is survived by his wife, Carolyn Cochran-Kopel; his mother, Margaret (nee Adamson) Kopel; 3 children, Kendra (William "BJ") Jahn, Kelly (Michael) Cohlman, and Jason (Laura) Cochran; 6 grandchildren, Jordy, Charles, Ruth, Matthew, Kyle, and Maxwell; 3 siblings, Edward (Martina) Kopel, Karen (Dan) Bystrom, and Rick Kopel; his mother-in-law, Louise Voigts; his in-laws, Greg Voigts, Jeff (Karen) Voigts, Sherry (Brian) Friedman, and Lisa Leonard; 13 nieces and nephews, Christina (Seth) Kopel, Ryan (Debbie) Hageman, Aaron (Kristen) Kopel, Ben (Nicole) Kopel, Sara Samolitis, Zelig Kopel, Tiffany (Jerry) Sullivan, Brittany (Korey) Lyons, Trevor (Laura) Leonard, Ryan (Alicia) Voigts, Adam Voigts, and Lindsay and Alex Friedman; and his many great-nieces, great-nephews, friends, neighbors, and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Francis Kopel will also be remembered as a devoted and kind husband who traveled the world with his beloved wife, as a caring father who could answer any question, a playful and loving grandfather, a wonderful son, brother, and friend, and the attentive caretaker of Squeaky the cat and countless backyard birds and squirrels; his presence will be felt when we see an Indiana Jones hat, smell fresh coffee, tend our gardens, hear a dry yet witty joke, or pass by Washington Park, where he and his wife were married 25 years ago; he will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known and loved him; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, honor and mourn the passing of Francis N. "Frank" Kopel; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Frank Kopel as a symbol of our deep appreciation of his service to the State of Illinois and our sympathy for his passing.