MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF THE HONORABLE ROBERT MOLARO
WHEREAS, The Honorable Robert "Bob" Molaro, former State Representative and State Senator, recently passed away at the age of 69 from pancreatic cancer; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Bob's passing by the Honorable Silvana Tabares, Alderman of the 23rd Ward; and
WHEREAS, Bob was a lifelong resident of Chicago, born on June 29, 1950 in McKinley Park to Angelina and Samuel, and attending St. Ignatius College Prep, Loyola University Chicago, and the then-John Marshall Law School, now known as UIC John Marshall Law School; and
WHEREAS, Following law school, Bob began his career as an attorney with the City's Corporation Counsel, before starting his own law practice; he went on to become the 12th Ward Democratic Committeeman in 1984, launching a political career that would span three decades; and
WHEREAS, Bob began his nearly twenty-year tenure in the statehouse in 1992 when he was elected to represent the 12th District in the Illinois State Senate, serving as the minority spokesman on the Executive Committee; and
WHEREAS, After the State decennial redistricting and the 2002 election, Bob moved across the Capitol rotunda, representing the 21st District in the Illinois General Assembly, and serving as Chair of two of the busiest committees - the Revenue Committee and the Judiciary II - Criminal Law Committee, where he frequently pushed back against penalty enhancements, which were popular during the tough-on-crime era; and
WHEREAS, Bob was known as a gifted orator who brought insightful wit and humor to his speeches in the General Assembly, particularly when he was championing one of his many causes, including animal welfare, outlawing the slaughtering of horses for human consumption, and promoting horse racing and gaming expansion in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Even after his time in the statehouse came to an end, Bob continued advocating for the causes he believed in, working as a lobbyist for the Illinois horse racing industry and often being credited with single-handedly saving the industry; and
WHEREAS, Bob was a man with a passion for life who was known for his ability to bring people together, and is fondly remembered for mentoring fellow elected officials and staff members alike, offering advice that was rarely ignored, usually in the form of one of his characteristic very long but very entertaining stories; and
WHEREAS, Known for his jovial spirit and gift of gab, Bob was near-universally loved everywhere he went, even being tapped to co-announce the annual House vs. Senate softball games in Springfield in the past few years; and
WHEREAS, Bob was the cherished husband of Barbara (nee Teska); loyal father of Samuel, Robyn (Timothy King), Miranda (Daniel Diaz), Michael (Jane Middleton), and Alexandra (Daniel Stell); fun-loving "Pops" of Rocco, Luciana, Francesca, Enzo, Daniel, Angelina, Evelyn, Felix, Jethro, Contessa, and Isabella; dear brother of the late Peter (late Michelle) Molaro; fond brother-in-law of Nancy (Charles) Lunon; and uncle of Nicholas (Rachel) Lunon; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-second day of July, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the Honorable Robert Molaro; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of the Honorable Robert Molaro as a sign of our honor and respect.
SILVANA TABARES Alderman, 23rd Ward