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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND MEMORY OF WILLIAM H. LUKING
WHEREAS, William H. Luking, a man who possessed an unequaled wisdom and expertise about Illinois government, history and politics died on June 12, 2014 leaving behind countless friends, co-workers, family and a community enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking was an accomplished and longtime advocate for the city of Chicago, and was widely viewed as one of the most knowledgeable and influential people at the Illinois statehouse; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking spent nearly three decades working for Chicago mayors in Springfield and other city entities, including Chicago Public Schools, the Park District, the CTA and City Colleges of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking is credited with the successful negotiations that led to the construction of a new ballpark for the White Sox in the late 1980s, the move to give city mayors control over public schools in the mid-1990s, and recent efforts to get legislative approval for pension changes the city; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking was a great advocate and friend to the Chicago Botanic Garden; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking was the unique man in politics who could count as friends those who were both adversaries as well as allies. He was widely known and appreciated for his candor, friendship, and willingness to freely share his knowledge about the legislative process and its history; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking can be credited for having inspired many of Illinois' most qualified and effective candidates to run for office, especially his favorite Law School Professor, Dawn Clark Netsch. Likewise, his encouragement, friendship and advise assisted many who served Illinois and was instrumental in improving the lives of countless citizens; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking was born in Connersville, Indiana and graduated from the University of Notre Dame where he was a student leader; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking graduated from Northwestern University Law School and used his legal training to protect the rights of many residents of Cook County; and
WHEREAS, William H. Luking, was the devoted son of Lowell and Elizabeth McCarthy Luking, fond brother of Mary Anne Morris, Beth Luking, Meg Luking, Gene Luking, Joe Luking, Charlene Wood, Laura Jamison, and Rosemary Card and close companion of Claire Manning; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of William H. Luking, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of William H. Luking.
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