OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
July 30, 2014
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution honoring the life and memory of William Luking. Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
H resolution
of the Qity of Qhicago, Illinois
presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL on JULY 30, 2014
^Q^IBTCCIS ' ^ne Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our dear friend William H. Luking, a dedicated and extremely effective advocate for the City of Chicago in the Illinois General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, The eldest of nine children of Lowell and Elizabeth McCarthy Luking, Bill Luking was born in Connersville, Indiana, on August 7, 1947; he graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1969, and graduated from Northwestern University Law School in 1972; and
WHEREAS, He began his nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the City of Chicago in 1986, when the City was under the administration of Mayor Harold Washington, and he went on to serve the City under the administrations of Mayors Eugene Sawyer, Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel; and
WHEREAS, During his years of devoted representation of the City of Chicago in the Illinois State House, Mr. Luking played a crucial role in the creation and passage of virtually all of the most important laws affecting Chicago and its citizens, including laws providing for the construction of U.S. Cellular Field; facilitating the renovation and expansion of Soldier Field; and enabling meaningful City participation in public school reform, to name only a few; and
WHEREAS, Bill Luking also represented the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Transit Authority, the City Colleges of Chicago, and the Chicago Botanic Garden, and he did a great deal of pro bono work for such entities as Chicago Christian Industrial League, Tuesday's Child, the Howard Area Community Association, the Chicago Children's Advocacy Center, and the Southwest Youth Collaborative; and
WHEREAS, Bill Luking was one of the most highly regarded legislative advocates in the history of the Illinois State House, routinely and successfully taking on difficult and complex projects that would have stymied persons lacking his great knowledge and skill; and
WHEREAS, His knowledge of Illinois law and the legislative process was broad and deep, and he was generous with that knowledge with everyone from experienced politicians to novice staffers; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, he was also well-known for his honesty, candor, warmth and humor; and
WHEREAS, Bill Luking is survived by his siblings, Laura Jamison, Meg Luking, Mary Anne Morris, Beth Luking, Gene Luking, Joe Luking, Charlene Wood, and Rosemary Card; and many nieces, nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this thirtieth day of July, 2014, do hereby celebrate the life of William H. Luking, and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues; and
i
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Luking as a token of our sympathy and our esteem.