Bill Text: IL SR0718 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Stanley M. Freehling of Chicago.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-30 - Resolution Adopted [SR0718 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0718-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Stanley M. Freehling of Highland Park,
who passed away on September 20, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was born in the Hyde Park
neighborhood of Chicago; he attended the University of Chicago
and received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Stockholm; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was a Senior Partner with
Freehling and Company, a New York Stock Exchange firm, for
decades; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was devoted to the civic life of
Chicago; he served as a Life Trustee of the University of
Chicago and as a trustee of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the
John G. Shedd Aquarium, Lake Forest College, and the Chicago
Public Library; he was instrumental in identifying and funding
many works of public art in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling's greatest passion was for the
arts; his long association with the Art Institute began in
1950, when he volunteered to serve as treasurer; he continued
to serve on many boards and committees; more than 250 works in

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the permanent collection are credited to him and his wife;
their connoisseurship and devotion to works on paper were
recognized by the Art Institute in 2008 with the exhibition
Collecting for Chicago: Prints, Drawings and Patronage; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling raised millions of dollars for
many venerable institutions, including the Ravinia Festival,
the Arts Club of Chicago, and the Goodman Theatre; he served as
Chairman of Ravinia, President of the Arts Club, a Life Trustee
of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Chairman of the Sustaining
Fellows of the Art Institute; he served as a trustee of the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Hubbard Street Dance
Company; he served as the Chairman of the Illinois Arts Council
and as a member of the Chicago Theatre Group, the National
Corporate Theatre Fund, and Sadler's Wells Theatre Association
in London; and
WHEREAS, As the Founding Chairman of the Goodman Theatre,
Stanley Freehling launched a two million dollar campaign in the
1970s to make the Theatre a self-governed institution,
independent of the Art Institute; he started the first capital
fund drive at Ravinia to raise more than 2.2 million to rebuild
the Pavilion stage, enlarge the orchestra pit, and install a
new sound system; he also guided the establishment of the
park's collection of outdoor sculpture; Ravinia held a special
place in his heart, as it was where he met his future wife,

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Joan Steif; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling received many honors and
awards, including the Raoul Wallenberg Humanitarian Award, the
Harvard Club of Chicago Award, the Grant Park Symphony Special
Award, the Rosary College Bravo Award, the Sydney Yates Arts
Advocacy Award, the American Jewish Committee's Human Rights
Award, the Anti-Defamation League Distinguished Service Award,
the Friends of Literature Award, the first Governor's Award for
Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Illinois, the
International Visitor's Center Gold Medallion Award, the
United States Marine Corps Distinguished Service Award, and the
Harold Washington History Maker Award for Distinction in Public
Service; in 1985, Ronald Reagan appointed him to the
President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities; he was the
recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Life Achievement in
the Theatre and the Merit Music Program's Alice S. Pfaelzer
Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was a member of many clubs,
including the Mid-Day Club and the Commercial Club; he was a
lifelong member of the Lake Shore Country Club; he was an avid
golfer and sports fan and loved the Chicago Bears and the
Chicago White Sox; he and Joan were active travelers and
visited every continent throughout their decades together; he
especially enjoyed a dry Beefeater martini, a good meal, and

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the company of good friends; and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling was preceded in death by his
wife of 64 years, Joan, and his brothers, Julius and Herbert;
and
WHEREAS, Stanley Freehling is survived by his daughters,
Maggie Freehling Phillips and Elizabeth (Debbie) Weidner; his
son, Robert Freehling; Dominique Parducci; his sons-in-law,
Joseph Weidner and Scott Phillips; his grandchildren, Benjamin
Weidner, Sam Phillips, Max Phillips, Rosalind Parducci, Daniel
Freehling; his great-grandchild, Noah Freehling; his
sister-in-law, Caryl Freehling; his nephews, Jim and Tom
Freehling; his niece, Julie Frodl; his caregivers, Verginia
Maeva and Maya Tonina; and his indispensable friend and
assistant, Karen Love; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Stanley M. Freehling 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 Stanley Freehling as an expression
of our deepest sympathy.