SR0502 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY


  

 


 
SR0502LRB102 19984 LAW 28769 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Ann M. Laurence of Springfield, who
4passed away on August 17, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ann Laurence was born in Freeport to Howard and
6Frances Laurence on March 24, 1948; she graduated from
7Freeport High School in 1966; she attended Highland Community
8College and the University of Illinois Circle Campus in
9Chicago; she married Ross Richardson in Lake City, Colorado in
10August 1973; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Ann Laurence worked at a public relations firm in
12Chicago for a time before joining the fledgling Dan Walker for
13Governor campaign as volunteer coordinator in 1971; she ran
14for delegate to the Democratic Convention in Miami in 1972 and
15won an unexpected victory when the luck of the draw gave her a
16top ballot position in a crowded field; she was profiled along
17with others by Newsweek magazine as a representative of the
18cosmic demographic shift from 1968 for delegates to the
19Democratic National Convention; she attended the convention
20and proudly voted to nominate George McGovern for president;
21she moved to Springfield to join the Dan Walker administration
22in 1973, where she served as assistant to Director John
23Houlihan of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs; and
 

 

 

SR0502- 2 -LRB102 19984 LAW 28769 r

1    WHEREAS, Alongside her husband, Ann Laurence opened The
2Feed Store on the Old Capitol Plaza in downtown Springfield in
31977; their restaurant quickly became a popular lunch spot and
4hosted locals and visitors for 43 years, including prominent
5politicians and celebrities; they decided to retire when the
6pandemic shut restaurants across Illinois, and they closed the
7restaurant in July 2020; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Ann Laurence spent her life fighting for equality
9and reproductive rights for women; while never elected to
10public office, she ran unsuccessfully for office twice, she
11actively participated in campaigns at all levels; she believed
12that everyone bears a responsibility to participate in civic
13life, and she acted accordingly; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Ann Laurence was the beloved wife, mother,
15friend, and mentor to many; she loved music, especially folk
16music, and never missed the Midnight Special radio program
17broadcast by WFMT; her two passions were food and politics,
18and she found fulfillment in both pursuits throughout her busy
19and productive life; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Ann Laurence was preceded in death by her parents
21and her brother, Howard Laurence; and
 

 

 

SR0502- 3 -LRB102 19984 LAW 28769 r

1    WHEREAS, Ann Laurence is survived by her husband of 48
2years, Ross Richardson, and her son, Daniel (Haley Klitzing)
3Laurence-Richardson; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
6Ann M. Laurence and extend our sincere condolences to her
7family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
8further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of Ann Laurence as an expression of our
11deepest sympathy.