Bill Text: IL HR0080 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Bruce N. Cook of Belleville.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-01-29 - Resolution Adopted [HR0080 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR0080-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Bruce N.
Cook of Belleville, who passed away on January 2, 2025; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook, the son of Victor N. and Dorothy
(Thurston) Cook, was born in Parsons, Kansas on February 17,
1940; he was raised in East St. Louis, Illinois; he served
aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard aircraft carrier in the
U.S. Navy for four years; he attended Southern Illinois
University in East St. Louis and graduated from the University
of Illinois College of Law, where he served as student body
president, was named to the Order of the Coif, and graduated as
valedictorian; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook opened his own law firm in Belleville
in 1969, where he represented countless working men and women
in personal injury claims, practicing law for more than 55
years; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook served as a past president of the St.
Clair County Bar Association and the East St. Louis Bar
Association, and he was active with the Dorothy O. Cook
Community Law Center, named after his mother, which houses the
East St. Louis branch of the Land of Lincoln Legal Aid; and

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WHEREAS, Bruce Cook was recognized as one of the top ten
trial lawyers in the State of Illinois by the National Law
Journal, and he was named a laureate by the Academy of Trial
Lawyers in 2008; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook served as a committeeman for the
Democratic National Committee and the Democratic State Central
Committee's 22nd and 23rd Congressional Districts from 1988 to
2000; he accompanied U.S. President Jimmy Carter on campaign
visits to Granite City and East St. Louis during Carter's
second presidential campaign; he held an honorary gold card
with Labor Local 100, and he was proud of the work he did with
union members throughout Southern Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook enjoyed reading, aviation, including
stunt piloting, snow skiing, bicycling, fishing, playing with
his dogs, and sharing food and wine with friends and family; in
his later years, he loved spending time with his grandchildren
most of all; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook was a loving and devoted husband,
father, grandfather, and friend; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook was preceded in death by his parents;
his daughter, Susannah K. Marison; his sister, Elizabeth A.

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McQueen; and his parents-in-law, Wayne J. and Katherine C.
Dressel; and
WHEREAS, Bruce Cook is survived by his wife of 59 years,
Sandra (Dressel) Cook; his sons, Bruce R. Cook and Michael N.
(Kori) Cook; eight grandchildren; his brother, Dr. Victor R.
Cook; his sister, Dr. Jan (Dr. Douglas) Cook-Hansell; his
son-in-law, Matthew Marison; and numerous nieces and nephews;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Bruce N. Cook 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 Bruce Cook as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.