34 Comments - piling on - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 11:49 am: Bucking suburban GOP leadership to cosponsor the education tax swap along with Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie in the House and getting it passed (even if only to die at the hands of suburban GOP leadership in the Senate where downstate GOP demonstrated they didn’t have the backbone of Rep. Black on education funding). And … His back going out during debate one fall session and him crumpling to the floor. He was carried off on a stretcher and the chamber started clapping like an injured football player being taken off the field. As if on cue, he flashed a thumb’s up as he was carried off. - wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 11:49 am: After the Blago impeachment, his speech in praise of Jesse White for his courage in refusing to sign the papers for Burris’ Senate appointment. It had gotten kind of lost in the historic moment, and it needed to be said. - Elo kiddies - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 11:53 am: I remember going to look for him in the mid-90’s (maybe 95?), maybe the first time I met him. His office was on the 6th floor, in a block with one or two other offices. There was no one else in any of the other offices, not even a receptionist. And he was at his desk, with the radio on, singing along loudly with Tom Petty. I knew right away he was someone I could work with. - Juice - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 11:53 am: In the 94th GA, House Resolution 943 requested that DNR study the impact that wind turbines have on bird populations. During the floor debate, Rep. Black stated, “I can tell you what impact it’s going to have on birds. Some of them are going to fly into the turbines. And that is a battle they will lose.” In all seriousness, he is a man of class and character, and his wit and wisdom will truly be missed. - Publius - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:04 pm: My favorite memory of Rep. Black is when I was standing by the Press box on the Republican side and he comes in and out of nowhere throws a Snickers bar at me to eat. He told me he couldn’t eat it for his health. Then 5 minutes later he comes back to me and asks me how loudly he should speak on the next bill. I told him that the Democratic side needed to wake up so he should wake them up. I will miss him dearly as he is the best Rep. in the Illinois House. He is honest and a really nice guy. I would vote for him for any office he runs for since he does truly care - reflector - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:14 pm: No one could top his floor debates,the only one close is Lou Lang.I sincerly appreciated his support of veterans and his knowledge of the issues. - A former staffer - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:18 pm: I’ll never forget folks in the well having to duck as he chucked a kleenex box their direction. Lisa Rawlings grabbed the law book before it left his hand next. He might be the last of the truly gifted Springfield legislators that creates the daily narration of what is the process. Never taking himself too seriously, yet able to cut to the chase of the important points and differences within the debate. Long on words when needed, short on words when needed. Worth the price of admission if there was one for the gallery. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:24 pm: @Rich - Also most folks’ favorite Terry Parke moment. I’ll never forget the affable smile on Black’s face AFTER the microphone was off. But one of my favorite moments was Black rising on a point of personal privilege to congratulate Madigan on his election as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, and becoming “the most powerful Democrat in the state.” Madigan left the dais to return to his seat, was recognized, thanked Black humbly for his remarks, adding that he must correct him on one point: “I believe Mayor Daley is the most powerful Democrat in the State.” They both shared the smile of two chivalrous knights well-met on the battlefield. Springfield will miss Bill Black for his courage and chivalry. - The KQ - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:24 pm: My very first day as a House Staffer in 1993 I was taken to the house floor as part of an orientation tour. Bill was asking the Speaker to move a bill to the floor for consideration. As I walked past his desk, he removed his shoe and started banging the heel on the desk demanding that the Speaker respect the rights of the minority party. Immediately, many other joined in on by taking off their shoes and pounding on their desks. I remember wondering, what did I get into! I quickly learned what an asset Bill is, and have nothing but respect for him. - Bill Edley - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:30 pm: My favorite house memory is the Black/Parke wrestling match. The vote was to confirm passage of a constitutional amendment by the Illinois General Assembly which would force the state to “guarantee equality of educational opportunity” and require state government to assume “the preponderant financial responsibility” for school funding. Up until the final mila-second, the amendment had only 61 of the 71 votes needed for final passage. At that moment, I was never more discouraged about the prospects for improving educational opportunities. But as the Clerk was about to close the roll call ten downstate Republicans changed their votes and were locked in. Faced with the 71 votes needed for passage, Minority leader Daniels frantically worked the House floor. The Republican side of the isle bristled with intense discussion, as the GOP floor leaders tried to kill the amendment by searching for missing members to verify off the roll call. After finding only one Democrat voting for the amendment missing -Lou Jones (D-Chicago), the full force of Daniels frustration was focused on the Downstate Republicans and Bill Black (R-Danville) was their prime target. Black was the GOP Floor leader. Generally his job was to keep the troops in line. Accusations and invectives flowed between Black and his suburban GOP brethren. Finally, Rep.Terry Parke made one insult too many and Black grabbed him by the throat and bent him back upon a house desk. With that Speaker McPike closed the roll. - Mongo - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:37 pm: It was 2003 and rookie Representative Elaine Nekritz had a bill prohibiting trains (could have been trucks) from blowing whistles (must have been trains) as they toodled along through Elaine’s communities in the north suburbs. Elaine can be very, very serious and she was in 2003. Bill Black stood up and just started making sounds, loud sounds, like a train whistle. Everyone (except Elaine) laughed and of course, the bill stalled. - thanks - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:43 pm: His kind words about former House staffer Colleen O’Sullivan during debate of Rep. Dan Burke’s defibrillator legislation. His support and sponsorship of the bill to honor her life through saving others was greatly appreciated. - So. ILL - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:44 pm: When he donned a rubber glove and screamed at the Speaker that when he goes to the doctor, at least he has the courtest to wear a rubber glove when he does what the Dems were doing to the GOP at the time. I can’t say it here or I will be banned. - Obamarama - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:45 pm: Last year black stormed into the middle of the State Government Administration Committee (which I don’t even think he was on at the time) and starting shouting at Franks a la “how dare you call yourself a reformer?!” and “I’m the assistant leader!” because Franks, apparently, didn’t get to Black’s bill quickly enough. - Former Merit Comp Slave - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:48 pm: Off subject, but Rep. Rich Myers passed away yesterday after battling cancer for the past year or so. Wasn’t sure if word was out yet….. - MKA1985 - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:52 pm: I only got to experience Rep. Black in this, his last year in the General Assembly. But what an impression the guy can make. The House will be hard pressed to find anyone quite like him. My favorite memory from the short time frame? The budget beard. Definitely the budget beard. - Publius - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 12:57 pm: Does anyone have or know where we can get a video of the speeches? - Newsclown - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 1:05 pm: There are small audio speakers in strategic offices around the capitol, where you can listen in remotely to the floor debates. These are often kept turned down to a very low whisper, and you have to strain to hear the conversation. I went to turn it up one time, and the staffer said: “Oh please don’t because…” She never got to finish. Bill Black’s pipes were set to “eleven” before Spinal Tap ever thought of it, and in that moment he wound up one of his patented rave-outs. I have seen Bill Black turn every shade of red in the pantone swatchbook during his spirited debating style. He makes Frank Watson on his worst day look and sound like Marcel Marceau. The man needs no mic, no amp, no speakers. If your tornado sirens have failed, Bill Black will save your town. But you have to hand it to the man that he serves his constituents with a dogged fanaticism. There will be no replacement for Bill Black. BTW, There was a total love-fest for Dan Rutherford today in the Senate, a contrast in styles but both men leave their posts well-liked and respected. - Always Smiling - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 1:10 pm: Rich What was your favorite memory of Bill? - Give Me A Break - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 1:12 pm: Bill Black was one of a kind and will never be replaced in the Illinois General Assembly. Having worked Bill as private sector lobbyist and as an agency legislative liaison, I can tell you his word was gold. He would often reach across party lines to assist with legislation he felt was the right thing to do. And if he told you he was with you on a bill, he was with you till the end. While famous for his “on-floor “antics, some folks never got see the Bill who cared deeply for his district and would go to the ends of the earth to help a constituent. One of my best memories of Bill was when I had to take a new legislative liaison into meet with him on an issue. The newbie was scared to death because Bill had just done one of his great on floor tirades and then came off the floor for the meeting. With Bill’s help the meeting accomplished what we needed to get done. After the meeting with Bill, the newbie asked me, “is that the same guy we see on the floor”? Bill you will be missed. - Quiet Sage - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 1:21 pm: No specific incident, just a general observation. The cutback amendment caused most of the great, quirky Illinois legislators to leave the General Assembly. Bill Black, beginning his career at the start of the post-cutback era, has proved able to single-handedly continue the tradition of great legislative individualists by a quarter century. - Dan Vock - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 1:22 pm: My favorite moment was when he talked about Chuck Jefferson’s first bill, which was to crack down on violent dogs. I have thought many times about trying to go track down the audio but never have. So I can’t do it justice here, but Black told Jefferson: “You can redistrict me into the City of Chicago, but quit picking on my dog!” He then worked himself up over the “Quit picking on my dog!” bit and started telling his colleagues, “Get up on your hind legs! Let me hear you howl!” And the whole back bench of the Republican side was howling away. It’s still one of my favorite memories from the Illinois Statehouse. - piling on - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 1:44 pm: Given his over-the-top performances in the House, I wondered what it must have been like for the first boyfriend Rep. Black’s daughter brought home to meet dad for the first time. - I'm Just Saying - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 2:46 pm: I’ll never forget, feeding him a line, I think it was mid 90’s and there was a bill to prevent the Illinois State Police from buying Kawasaki’s instead of Harley’s, So I got word to to him to use the Hulkamaniacs line, and Bill came out with something like, How will Hulk Hogan come to illinois and Sing I am a real American if the ISP are driving Kawasakis instead of American Made Harleys Bill will truly be missed, he was by far one of the smartest men in the General Assembly. His experience and total class and temperance (Even when he was ranting and raving at 11) will be truly missed God Speed Bill, i’m sure you will be a success at whatever you put your hand to in your golden years……… - Parka - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 3:06 pm: When he demanded that Ken Dunkin apologize to the House for giving the members an obscene gesture. - dupage progressive - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 3:14 pm: My favorite Bill Black moment involved Colleen O’Sullivan too. She was a former Madigan Tech review lawyer, who worked on the 6th floor where Black’s office was too. Black & the MJM lawyers played practical jokes on each other. Something must have involved leaving a huge potted plant in each other’s office. On the last day of session, when Colleen was still working here, Rep. Black got up on the floor to thank all the hard-working staff. I think he did this almost every year, which by itself is wonderful to do. He realized that staff is sometimes taken for granted & underappreciated. So, he not only thanked the staff on his side of the aisle, but also thanked his new friends on Madigan’s tech review. As he was thanking them, Colleen stood in the gallery with the huge potted plant, shaking it up & down. He looked up & laughed pretty heartily. Even though the casual obvserver wouldn’t guess it, he did a great job fostering bipartisan friendships and civility in the house. He will be missed!!! - Oh, please.... - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 4:17 pm: Bill was a class act in every way. And no matter what he was talking about, whether I agreed or disagreed, he always made many valid and salient point and brought the discussion to a new level with insight and his amazing wit. It just won’t be the same without him…he’s truly one of a kind. - WUSTL - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 4:25 pm: I remember when I was page in the 3rd grade (I’m now a junior in college), and the legislature had gone into overtime session. Unlike recent years, they were not expected to go into overtime, and as a result there wasn’t a lot of food choices in the Rathskellar. I was down there getting one of the reps a drink when Black came over the speaker to complain that they shouldn’t be there and that he couldn’t even get a GD peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The cashier turned to me and said, “Well, it looks like we’ve made a friend in Bill Black.” He will be sorely missed. - steve schnorf - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 7:28 pm: Bill has been my friend for many, many years, and I think he did himself quite proud in the civil union debate. - 4 percent - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 8:58 pm: Bill was gracious to all staff but especially our House GOP. Cookies and cards often during long and tense days. As a former staffer and now lobbyist, I am proud to know him and consider him a friend. He is one of the few with the civility and ability to truly reach across the aisle. He earned respect and will be missed. - It's Just Me - Thursday, Dec 2, 10 @ 11:01 pm: I’ve been associated with the General Assembly for over a decade and I have yet to encounter a Member as gracious and as serious as William. He truly will be missed. It is a recent event, but probably the most potent, and his vote to be on the “right side of history” on the civil unions bill has already been burnt into my memory. I know that is a hard vote for his district, but 20 years from now he will remember pushing that button and I will remember his light going green. I wish he was running one more time so that I could have the honor of circulating petitions for him. - Anon - Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 3:08 am: So many things. So many memories. So many of them like the ones above. So hard to pick out the best among so many. At the end of the day, my best, my favorite memory is that while I may not have agreed with him, he was a very good, a very decent man. How much would we all wish that upon such an event, the same would be said for each of us. Fare thee well, Bill Black. Fair winds and a safe journey with following seas. Illinois will be the lesser without your vigilance, your gentle good humor and maybe, most of all, your ability to use and eschew pretension in all the best ways. - L.S. - Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 9:37 am: His gallows humor. When he passed out on the House floor and came to, the first thing he saw was a fellow GOP member who was also a county coroner and said “I can see you, and if I can see you that means I don’t need you”. Classic. - Moderate - Friday, Dec 3, 10 @ 9:56 am: I met Bill several times at Republican gatherings in Champaign and Springfield. He was just great. We would be standing on a sidewalk and it was like talking to a friend at the coffee shop. A great legislator! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.