Bill Text: IL HR0944 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commends Burt Odelson on his service as a leader, combining his generosity and kindness in life with a warrior spirit in the courtroom.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2022-11-15 - Resolution Adopted [HR0944 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR0944-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson was born in Chicago to Ben and
Bernice Odelson; he attended Bogan High School, Richard J.
Daley College, the University of Illinois, and the
Chicago-Kent College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson's interest in politics began in 1968
when he volunteered at the Chicago Democratic National
Convention, chauffeuring Gore Vidal and Paul Newman to events;
and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson was admitted to the Illinois bar 50
years ago on October 23, 1972; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson began his long prestigious law
career soon after law school by serving for many years as
village attorney for his first municipality, the Village of
Harwood Heights; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson argued his first election case when
he served as legal counsel to his dear friend, Thomas Powell,
defending his mayoral bid in Oak Lawn, after he was challenged
in 1973 at the young age of 26; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson has argued hundreds of cases for

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public officials, labor leaders, and candidates for local,
state, and federal offices; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson has participated in numerous
landmark cases at the Electoral Board, Circuit Court,
Appellate Court, Supreme Court of Illinois, and United States
Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson coined the word "chad" in the
infamous election case of Pullen v. Mulligan, which led to his
participation in the 2000 Florida recount of President Bush in
Florida; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson served as a hearing officer for the
Illinois Secretary of State's Office; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson was elected to the Moraine Valley
Community College Board for 17 years and served as chairman of
the board; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson served on the board at Brother Rice
High School, where he spent time as chairman and donated the
broadcast studio; he received the 2016 Stephen Ruff
Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to the men of
Brother Rice; and

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WHEREAS, Burt Odelson received the Professional
Achievement Award from the Chicago-Kent College of Law -
Illinois Institute of Technology in 2016; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson is a member of the executive board
and pro bono attorney for the Women's Care Center Foundation
in South Bend, Indiana; he serves as chairman of the board of
directors for the Women's Care Center in LaGrange; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson is regarded as an election expert in
the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson is a loving father and grandfather;
he and his wife, Patti, have seven children, John, Courtney,
Dustin, Lauren, Christina, Gina, and Mike; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson's favorite moments are those spent
with his children and their spouses, Jacquie, Joe, Kaitlyn,
and Ted, and grandchildren at Magician Lake; and
WHEREAS, Burt Odelson is the proud "Pops" to Ben, Jacob,
Vivian, Henry, Riley, Margo, Oliver, and Ella; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that

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we commend Burt Odelson on his service as a leader, combining
his generosity and kindness in life with a warrior spirit in
the courtroom; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to Burt Odelson as a symbol of our respect and
esteem.