Bill Text: IL HR0409 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of former Illinois State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader William B. "Bill" Black of Danville.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-10-25 - Resolution Adopted [HR0409 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0409-Introduced.html

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HR0409 LRB103 34293 LAW 64119 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former
Illinois State Representative and Assistant Minority Leader
William B. "Bill" Black of Danville, who passed away on
September 9, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Bill Black was born in Danville on November 11,
1941; he was raised in a small-business family; he earned a
bachelor's degree in business administration from William
Jewell College in Missouri, followed by a master's degree in
education from the University of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Exercising his interest in the Danville
community, Bill Black became a leader at the Danville Area
Community College; he was a member of the Vermilion County
Board from 1976 to 1986, serving as chairman from 1981 to 1983;
and
WHEREAS, In February 1986, Bill Black was appointed to
join the Illinois House of Representatives, representing
Danville and many of its surrounding communities, after his
predecessor in the Illinois House, Harry "Babe" Woodyard,
accepted an appointment to the Illinois Senate in 1986; he was
elected to his first full term in the Illinois House in

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November 1986; and
WHEREAS, As a member of the Republican caucus, Bill Black
developed an interest and expertise in issues concerning
community colleges, higher education, mental health, the
LI-HEAP program of energy assistance for persons with
challenged incomes, the fight against DUI moving violators,
and many other programs; he was appointed to committees on
these issues, serving repeatedly as a spokesperson; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, Bill Black was named one of the ten
Outstanding State Legislators in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Repeatedly demonstrating his knowledge and
expertise on issues of importance to all members of the
Illinois House from every region of the State, particularly
members of the House Republican Caucus, Bill Black became the
acknowledged floor leader of the Caucus, leading the
Republican side in many House discussions and debates, with
the title of House Assistant Minority Leader; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, when Bill Black announced his plans to
become a private citizen in the company of his wife Sharon, his
children, and his grandchildren, his colleagues paid tribute
to him in an extraordinary display on the Illinois House
floor, with more than 30 of his colleagues rising, one after

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the other, to recount stories of his wisdom and temperament as
a leader for them all; and
WHEREAS, Although Bill Black was looking forward to his
retirement, his community and his state capital gave him a new
round of duties; he was elected by his neighbors to the
Danville City Council as an alderman in 2011; he was appointed
to the Springfield-based Procurement Policy Board in 2013, and
he joined the Danville Area Community College (DACC) Board of
Trustees by appointment in 2014; appearing once again on
Danville-area-wide ballots, he was elected to the DACC Board
of Trustees in 2015, serving until 2021; and
WHEREAS, Bill Black was recognized by the Danville Area
Community College for his continued service with the building
and naming of the new William B. Black Health Professions
Center in his honor, with the center constituting a health
professions hub that offers courses, certifications, and
training in biomedical engineering, nursing, medical imaging,
health information technology, emergency medical technology,
medical assisting, nursing assisting, and phlebotomy; and
WHEREAS, Bill Black leaves behind a reputation as a giant
in Illinois politics who was a happy warrior of the political
battlefield; he will be remembered as a leader who fought for
his Danville and Vermilion County communities and for all of

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the people of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Bill Black is survived by his wife, Sharon; his
daughter, Debra (Scott) Alexander; his son, Doug (DeeDee)
Black; six grandchildren; his brother, Bob (Jackie) Black; and
his stepsisters, Denia (Don) Zuch and Cathy Speerly;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of former State Representative and
Assistant Minority Leader William B. "Bill" Black and extend
our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
knew and loved him; and be it further