Bill Text: IL HR0356 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Robert G. Kirchner of Urbana.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-05-11 - Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jason Barickman [HR0356 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0356-Introduced.html

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HR0356 LRB097 11935 KXB 55435 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert G.
Kirchner of Urbana, who passed away on April 17, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Robert Kirchner was born on June 23, 1956, in
Joliet; his parents were Robert and Margaret (Keyser) Kirchner;
he grew up in New Lenox; and
WHEREAS, Robert Kirchner attended Western Illinois
University, earning his Bachelor's degree in philosophy and
political science in 1976 and his Master's degree in political
science in 1977; while in college, he met his future wife,
Gerri; they married August 25, 1979, in Park Ridge; he later
attended the University of Illinois College of Law, and earned
his law degree in 1982; and
WHEREAS, After earning his law degree, he joined the
Champaign law practice of Burt Greaves and Art Lerner, which
became Greaves, Lerner and Kirchner, and later, Lerner and
Kirchner; in 2004, he opened his own law office in Champaign;
he argued many cases before the appellate courts and the
Illinois Supreme Court, winning several cases that established
legal precedents; he was well known among his peers as a
champion of numerous legal causes that other attorneys would

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not take; and
WHEREAS, He ran as a Democratic candidate for State
Representative in 1996; despite losing the election, his
campaign engaged public participation by hosting a series of
monthly symposiums on key issues impacting State legislation,
including education funding, crime, drug abuse, gun control,
child welfare, women's rights, health care, employment laws,
and campaign finance reform; and
WHEREAS, Robert Kirchner served on the Champaign County
Board as the District 9 representative, appointed in 2001 and
elected in 2002 to a 2-year term; as a member of the board, he
voted to pass laws to guarantee a living wage for all full-time
county employees, prohibit employment discrimination on the
basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation, and establish
free dental care for low-income children; he served as chair of
the county nursing home sub-committee and worked on the
successful passage of the referendum proposal to fund its
construction; and
WHEREAS, Robert Kirchner served as Vice President of the
Champaign County Bar Association from 1994 to 1995; in 1994, he
helped establish Best Interest of Children, a local non-profit
organization dedicated to child and family advocacy, and served
on the organization's board; and

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WHEREAS, He was an avid softball player, and enjoyed
volleyball, bocce ball, bowling, ping pong, bridge, hearts,
pinochle, poker, and other games; and
WHEREAS, Robert Kirchner is survived by his wife of 32
years, Gerri; his sisters, Marlene (Dennis) Gallagher and
Lorrie (Robert) Chaplin; his brothers, John (Carol) Burkhart,
Ron (Laura) Kirchner, and David Kirchner; his brother-in-law,
Paul (Sue) Geissler; his sister-in-law, Shelly (Paul) Kotecki;
his 4 nephews; and his 7 nieces; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of
Robert Kirchner; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Robert Kirchner as an expression of
our sympathy.