SR0306 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0306 LRB098 12044 MST 45681 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Cal Sutker of Skokie, who passed away on April 25, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Cal Sutker enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, serving in Germany, France, and Austria during World War II; he was in the battalion that first entered the Dachu concentration camp and liberated its prisoners; and

WHEREAS, Cal Sutker began his political career in 1965 when he was elected to the Skokie Village Board, where he helped to pass one of the first fair housing ordinances in the State; he served 3 2-year terms in the Illinois House of Representatives and 8 years on the Cook County Board; in 1973, he was elected Democratic Committeeman of Niles Township, a position he held for 33 years; he also served as Illinois State Central Committeeman, chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, and Democratic National Committeeman; and

WHEREAS, Cal Sutker's contributions to politics and his community are everywhere to be found; he was a member of the Caucus Party that has held all of the Skokie government seats for decades; he was instrumental in the creation of the North Shore Sculpture Park at the east end of the village and the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center; and

WHEREAS, Cal Sutker was known for accumulating a large library of books and it was not unheard of for those who spent time with him to walk away with a book from his collection; and

WHEREAS, Cal Sutker was the dearly beloved husband of the late Phyllis (nee Twery); devoted father of Sharon Sutker McGowan (Jim McGowan), Shelley Sutker-Dermer (Kenneth Dermer), Edie Sue Sutker (David Richmond), and Allen Sutker (Karen Sutker); the loving grandfather of Jennifer and Joshua McGowan, Elana and Jake Dermer, and Dani, Niki, Tommy, and Teddy Sutker; the dear brother of Irwin (the late Carla) Sutker and Ada (Beryl) Rabinowitz; the brother-in-law of Marsha Kline and the late David Kline; and he will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Cal Sutker, 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 Cal Sutker as an expression of our deepest sympathy.