Bill Text: IL HR0414 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Charles D. "Chuck" Sweeny of Rockford.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-24 - Resolution Adopted [HR0414 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-HR0414-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 Charles
D. "Chuck" Sweeny of Rockford, who passed away on May 20, 2019;
and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was born in Rockford to Fay C. and
Winifred M. Daniels Sweeny on October 26, 1948; he graduated
from Auburn High School in 1966; he received a bachelor's
degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago; he married
Cherene Gourley in Rockford on March 3, 1973; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny began his career in journalism at the
Rockford Register Star in 1984; he specialized in politics and
also served as a reporter, columnist, political editor, and,
most recently, senior editor; he was the face of the Register
Star and gave the newspaper a personality it needed; his
columns were must-reads, as his reporting and commentary were
insightful, fair, and incredibly well sourced; he had the
ability to inject humor into the often-tense public discourse;
and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was known as "the dean of local
political journalists" by Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara; he
interviewed mayors, governors, and presidents and was an

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exceptional chronicler of Rockford's history; for decades, he
helped the public understand government, local history, and
civic issues and emphasized the importance of the role of a
free press in a thriving democracy; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was voted best columnist in the
Register Star's annual What Rocks reader poll; he was a
sought-after speaker and a frequent debate moderator; he
appeared as a commentator on local television, was a guest on
National Public Radio, and was a regular user of Facebook; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was also a musician; he played
electric piano in several bands that performed around the
region; he will be remembered as a lifetime journalist,
political advocate, and Rockford historian and commentator;
and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was preceded in death by his parents;
and
WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny is survived by his wife, Cherene; his
son, James M.D. Sweeny; his daughter, Stephanie M.M. Sweeny;
his sister, Mary (Robert) Douglas; his brothers-in-law,
Michael Gourley and Patrick (Cheryl) Gourley; his nieces and
nephews, William C. Douglas, Emily A. Douglas, Todd Gourley,
and Lisa Sanders; and his many other extended family members;

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therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Charles D. "Chuck" Sweeny 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 Chuck Sweeny as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.