HR1463 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1463 LRB095 22105 KXB 52396 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of our dear former colleague and friend, former Illinois State Representative Maureen Murphy from Evergreen Park, who passed away August 9, 2008; and

WHEREAS, She grew up in Evergreen Park and lived on the same block she grew up on; she was married to her loving husband Jack for 39 years; she was the proud mother of four boys, Jason, Shaun, Michael, and Matthew; the loving mother-in-law of Kelly; the doting grandmother of grandchildren, Brennah, Mary Margaret (Maggie), John Payton, and Nathan James Murphy; the caring sister of Jolene Churak and Michael Tolan; and the beloved aunt of Maribeth Churak and Joey Churak; and

WHEREAS, She had a lifelong devotion to the Catholic Church; she attended Queen of Martyrs grammar school and Mother of Sorrows High School in Blue Island, and she attended Mass at her home parish of Queen of Martyrs daily; and

WHEREAS, She started her career in public service with her election to the Evergreen Park High School Board in 1982, a position she held for 10 years; she was elected to a 4-year term as Worth Township Clerk in 1985; and

WHEREAS, Maureen Murphy was elected State Representative for the 36th District in 1992, where she became spokesperson and chairman of the House Revenue Committee; she championed the rights of taxpayers by sponsoring the Cook County Property Tax Cap Law and Cook County Property Assessment Reform; she fought for Property Tax Appeal Board jurisdiction for all Cook County taxpayers, and took an active role in spearheading Chicago school reform, one of her proudest achievements as a legislator; and

WHEREAS, Maureen Murphy continued her commitment to fiscal responsibility and taxpayer rights by serving two consecutive 4-year terms as First District Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review, helping ensure fair property assessments for homeowners and business owners; and

WHEREAS, Maureen Murphy had been a faithful advocate for the Republican Party and its candidates, serving as Worth Township Committeeman since 1994, Cook County Republican Party Chairman, State Central Committeeman from the 1st Congressional District, Delegate to three G.O.P. national conventions, Co-Chairman of the 1994 Republican State Convention, and President of the Evergreen Park Republican Organization; and

WHEREAS, Maureen Murphy was a successful businesswoman with her Irish import store, Shannon Imports, and a realtor; and

WHEREAS, Maureen Murphy enjoyed the island of Maui, Hawaii, where she enjoyed the sunrise on Mt. Haleakala and the soft breezes off the Pacific Ocean; and

WHEREAS, Maureen Murphy was preceded in death by her son, Patrick; and her aunt, Helen Hoeffken; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Maureen Murphy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Maureen Murphy as a symbol of our sincere sympathy at this time.