Bill Text: IL HR1031 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Congratulates Charlie Schlenker on the occasion of his retirement after a distinguished, award-winning career spanning more than four decades in journalism, including nearly 30 years of dedicated service to WGLT. Commends his exceptional four-decade career in journalism. Expresses deep gratitude for his contributions to WGLT and the citizens of Central Illinois.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2026-09-17 - Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Sharon Chung [HR1031 Detail]
Download: Illinois-2025-HR1031-Introduced.html
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| 1 | HOUSE RESOLUTION | ||||||
| 2 | WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of | ||||||
| 3 | Representatives wish to congratulate Charlie Schlenker on the | ||||||
| 4 | occasion of his retirement after a distinguished, | ||||||
| 5 | award-winning career in journalism spanning more than four | ||||||
| 6 | decades, including nearly 30 years of dedicated service to | ||||||
| 7 | WGLT; and | ||||||
| 8 | WHEREAS, Born and raised in Rock Island, Charlie Schlenker | ||||||
| 9 | earned his bachelor's degree from Augustana College before | ||||||
| 10 | embarking on a career in broadcast journalism; and | ||||||
| 11 | WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure at WGLT, Charlie Schlenker | ||||||
| 12 | served in pivotal leadership and editorial roles, including | ||||||
| 13 | assistant news director, news director, and senior reporter, | ||||||
| 14 | helping shape WGLT into a primary local news source and an | ||||||
| 15 | industry leader; and | ||||||
| 16 | WHEREAS, Charlie Schlenker has become the most | ||||||
| 17 | award-winning journalist in WGLT history, earning more than | ||||||
| 18 | 100 awards from the Public Media Journalism Association, the | ||||||
| 19 | Illinois Associated Press, which named him "Best Reporter" on | ||||||
| 20 | multiple occasions, and other prestigious organizations; and | ||||||
| 21 | WHEREAS, Charlie Schlenker has brought national honor to | ||||||
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| 1 | Central Illinois as a four-time recipient of the Radio | ||||||
| 2 | Television Digital News Association's Edward R. Murrow Award, | ||||||
| 3 | winning WGLT's first national Murrow Award for "Skateboard | ||||||
| 4 | Freedom" in 2005 as well as its most recent national Murrow | ||||||
| 5 | Award in 2025; and | ||||||
| 6 | WHEREAS, Beyond his broadcasting achievements, Charlie | ||||||
| 7 | Schlenker's impactful presence off the air has left an | ||||||
| 8 | enduring mark through his mentorship of students and | ||||||
| 9 | colleagues, his patient counsel, and his creative | ||||||
| 10 | contributions during station fund drives; and | ||||||
| 11 | WHEREAS, Charlie Schlenker will officially retire on | ||||||
| 12 | September 30, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, | ||||||
| 13 | storytelling excellence, and unwavering dedication to public | ||||||
| 14 | service journalism; therefore, be it | ||||||
| 15 | RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE | ||||||
| 16 | HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that | ||||||
| 17 | we congratulate Charlie Schlenker on his retirement, commend | ||||||
| 18 | his exceptional four-decade career in journalism, and express | ||||||
| 19 | our deep gratitude for his contributions to WGLT and the | ||||||
| 20 | citizens of Central Illinois; and be it further | ||||||
| 21 | RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be | ||||||
| 22 | presented to Charlie Schlenker as an expression of our esteem | ||||||
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| 1 | and respect. | ||||||
