HR1293 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1293 LRB100 24159 ALS 43315 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Peter Lazare of Springfield, who passed away on November 7, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Peter Lazare was born in Long Island, New York and raised in Stamford, Connecticut; he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; he later received his master's degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Peter Lazare spent more than a decade organizing labor unions in Chicago before he moved to Springfield in 1992; he was an expert analyst at the Illinois Commerce Commission for 20 years and was politically active until the time of his death, focusing on the urgency of addressing climate change; and

WHEREAS, Peter Lazare was also the co-owner of the Grab-a-Java coffee shops with his wife, Meg; he and Meg filled a market gap in Springfield with their high-end, coffee-to-go concept; the shops also gave him a platform to share his artwork, which dabbled in the politics and cultural issues of the day, and is displayed prominently outside the two Grab-a-Java locations; in recent years; he held two art shows that were local cultural events and known for their uniqueness and hilarity; and

WHEREAS, Peter Lazare spoke French and enjoyed traveling to Paris with Meg as often as he could; in recent years, they traveled all over Europe; he enjoyed playing board games, reading, baking, and creating art projects with his granddaughter; he attended her soccer games, served as the coach of her Lego League team, and perfected his pancake recipe for her; he lived out his political convictions and will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit and his activist heart; and

WHEREAS, Peter Lazare was preceded in death by his parents, Edythe and Leon Lazare; and

WHEREAS, Peter Lazare is survived by his wife of 37 years, Meg Evans Lazare; his children, Sarah (Adam Johnson) Lazare and Ben Lazare; his granddaughter, Kinley Lazare; the mother of his granddaughter, Anna Schneider; his brothers, Daniel Lazare and Jonathan Lazare; his 22 nieces and nephews; and his wife's seven sisters and brothers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Peter Lazare 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 Peter Lazare as an expression of our deepest sympathy.