Bill Text: IL HR1066 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Laura Elizabeth Schachtrup Cullinan of Peoria.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2026-10-28 - Co-Sponsor Rep. Ryan Spain [HR1066 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR1066-Introduced.html

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HR1066 LRB104 23651 LAW 40150 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Laura
Elizabeth Schachtrup Cullinan of Peoria, who passed away on
October 24, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan was born to Linda Elaine and
Francis Michael Schachtrup in Peoria on September 1, 1976; she
attended St. Mary's of Kickapoo, Father Sweeney Grade School,
and Peoria Notre Dame High School; she graduated from the
University of Notre Dame and earned her Juris Doctor from
Loyola University Chicago School of Law; she married Allen
Duane Cullinan in Palm Springs, California in 2014, and they
built a life in Peoria filled with love, laughter, and an
unwavering commitment to one another and their children,
Duane, Mary Michael, and Frances; and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan began a distinguished legal career
at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago and later worked at RLI Corp.
in Peoria before becoming a prominent philanthropist and
community leader; she was a proud Peorian through and through,
believing wholeheartedly in the potential of Greater Peoria
and the power of bringing people together to make it a better
place to live, work, and raise a family; and

HR1066 - 2 - LRB104 23651 LAW 40150 r
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan served as president of the Gilmore
Foundation, a private foundation established in 2009 to
support the development and improvement of the tri-county
community of Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties; she was
deeply committed to honoring the vision and legacy of founder
Bob Gilmore, working tirelessly to strengthen the community
they both loved; her leadership helped support countless
initiatives in the arts, education, youth development, and
human services, enhancing lives throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan played an instrumental role in
bringing the Choose Greater Peoria initiative to life and
advancing the collaborative efforts of the Greater Peoria
Leadership Council; she believed that her community's greatest
strength was its people, and she possessed an extraordinary
ability to bring those people together around a shared vision
that she then worked towards making a reality; and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan and her husband, Allen, cofounded
the Peoria Food + Wine Festival in 2016; bringing together
their love of food, hospitality, friendship, and Greater
Peoria, they created a festival that celebrated the talents of
local chefs while raising significant funds for important
causes, growing the event into a beloved community tradition;
and

HR1066 - 3 - LRB104 23651 LAW 40150 r
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan spent her life making things
better and more beautiful, whether it was her home, a
gathering of friends, or her community; she wanted families to
thrive, children to have opportunities, and future generations
to inherit a community even stronger than the one she had
known, and her generosity extended well beyond her
professional responsibilities, quietly giving her time, care,
and resources to those in need; and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan loved creating, cooking,
cultivating hydrangeas, and making celebrations and events
spectacular, memorable, and welcoming, and she enjoyed
spending summers in Minnesota, first as a child and then as a
mother; and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan was a dedicated wife and mother, a
thoughtful friend, and a gracious hostess known for her
brilliance, confidence, radiant beauty, and compassionate
heart; she served her community with devotion and grace,
leaving a brighter future for residents of today and tomorrow;
and
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan was preceded in death by her
mother, Linda Elaine Schachtrup, and her infant brother,
Francis Matthew; and

HR1066 - 4 - LRB104 23651 LAW 40150 r
WHEREAS, Laura Cullinan is survived by her husband, Allen
Cullinan; their children, Duane Douglas Evans Cullinan, Mary
Michael Cullinan, and Frances Elaine Cullinan; her father,
Francis Michael (Jan) Schachtrup; her brother, Mike
Schachtrup; her stepsiblings, Amanda (Joe) Matthews, Matthew
Wright, and Jonathan (Mae) Wright; and a host of in-laws,
nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Laura Elizabeth Schachtrup Cullinan
and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and
all who knew and loved her; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Laura Cullinan as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.