24 Comments - Davos - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 9:59 am: He may had his quirks, but he was an honorable man with integrity. R.I.P. Leader Black. - Walker - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:00 am: Wonderful, caring man, who believed deeply in government service. When he (brilliantly) attacked ideas or bills in debate as floor leader, he would then come over and speak informally to opposing members to make sure they felt okay. I often think of him as a model for legislators. - Jak Tichenor - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:02 am: Rep. Bill Black was always one of my favorite guests on Illinois Lawmakers over the years. He was indeed a colorful character during floor debates in the House as he fiercely defended his party’s interests but unfailingly kind and gracious in person. I avalued his political acumen as he sized up where things were going on the issues before the House. He laughed easily and was wonderful to watch along the Rail as he met with his constituents. Rest easy, Bill. You will be missed. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:15 am: Was waiting for this, thank you so much for this post, Rich. I was an unabashed fan of Bill Black. Unapologetic to the understanding of who he was, his public service, his “way”, and truly his love of his state, and his “home”. No one could replace Bill Black in his role on the floor as the minority antagonist. Why? Why was Bill Black so special? Those tasked to be “the next Bill Black” have all failed because it starts with this… …you can try to be a character but you need to know you can never be a caricature. Bill Black could speak spinning yarns or say biting funny things, speak to policy and speak to just the folks “in the room” I saw Bill Black speak where others continued with their business, letting Black opine.. I saw a chamber many times fall deathly silent when Black’s words captured everyone’s attention… and respect… the character was showing all what it meant to passionately speak, and be heard. The caricature folks that followed? They truly never understood what made Bill Black special. You might think you knew more than Black, understood the politics at play more than Black, others even thought they knew procedure better than Black. The caricatures that followed Black, even after Black left, underestimated the incredible knowledge, passion, and the sheer vocabulary to the moment Black had… always letting everyone in on the joke, a character, never ever a caricature. Black was one who loved the House, a place I’m quite partial to myself, so in that I loved him for that sometimes solely to that. He respected colleagues, staff, press, his constituents, others failed to be Bill Black because even in his fiery “Bill Black-ness”, it always came with a passion to the good of what it meant to be a member of the General Assembly. If you never got to see, personally, Bill Black work 8 hours on the floor and get up and run his own “show business” while never crossing the line of ruining his own respected stature… while serving this state, “his town”, his district, that chamber, you missed a true giant… his voice so much larger than him, and in his own era (Pate, Emil, MJM, Edgar…) Bill Black was the voice and soundtrack of the Illinois House, and Illinois was better with him giving voice to the process he loved. My sincere condolences to his family and his many friends, and admires like me. Godspeed, Bill Black. - Give Me A Break - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:18 am: After you got to know him, you understood his approach to being a lawmaker. He could strike the fear of God into a new legislative liaison or staffer just by asking to chat with them. He could be tough and direct but at the end of the day, you wouldn’t find a more hard working or honest Rep. His stories about his Dog missing him during session were priceless and his annual, “I’m not running again speech on the House floor were not to be missed. I don’t Bill would think much of today’s GOP crew. - 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:27 am: YDD’s tribute on the other thread summed it up for me nicely. We need more Bill Blacks in our world. RIP and condolences to his family and friends. - Oldtimer - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:30 am: I believe Bill Black served for about 25 years. I overlapped with him in the House as a legislative staffer for about half of his service. A few memories: –The famous physical confrontation with Terry Parke over the Constitutional Amendment on Education Funding, which I witnessed. The expression on Tom Ryder’s face as it started was priceless. The scuffle finally was broken up by self-described Mother of Five Jane Barnes. –Bill really believed that the Minority Party should not be run roughshod over by the Majority Party through parliamentary procedures. I always felt he was uncomfortable when Lee Daniels had rules adopted during his speakership that further limited the powers of the Minority. Bill didn’t spend much time during those 2-years presiding over the House. –Some believed his explosions of temper were all an act. Some were but others were 100% genuine. He let me have it one time when he felt that the Speaker was trying to kill one of his bills by moving it to another committee. Bill sought me out later and apologized, even though I worked for the other side. He was the only member who ever apologized to me for his actions. –I saw some very effective debaters during my tenure: Jim McPike, Barbara Currie, Lou Lang, Tom Cross, and Tom Ryder. However, Bill was the best by far. Maybe one of the only members who occasionally was able to change votes through his verbal skills. RIP Representative Black. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:39 am: Thanks 47th Ward, Oswego Willy said it well, but in my own words from the other thread: I am very, very sad to hear of the passing of Leader Bill Black. My condolences to his family, friends, constituents, and colleagues past. He was a staunch and fierce advocate and spokesperson for his party. When Bill Black rose to speak on the floor, he had most everyone’s attention. And unlike the worn-out vaudeville routine of Bruce Rauner and others, when Bill Black talked of being a “simple country gentleman” or “the shade tree mechanics in my district,” we all chuckled a little with him, not at him. He stood up, stood his ground, made his points, did it with the utmost of civility, and moved on. But it was his great spirit of bipartisanship, so evident even in a party leader, that most set Bill Black apart. Bill Black fought tirelessly for fair and full funding for downstate schools, often putting himself at odds with entrenched suburban interests within his own party. And working hand-in-hand with Democrats who shared his goals. When Madigan was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, Leader Black rose to congratulate him on the floor, showering him with lauditory praise, calling him “the most powerful Democrat in Illinois” as I recall. Amdor can tell me if I am wrong. When State Rep. Connie Howard passed her landmark expungement bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote, laying the groundwork for future criminal justice reforms including the SAFE-T Act, Leader Black came over afterward and apologized to her that someone had voted No on his switch while he was away from his chair, and praised the bill. I am sure those who were lucky enough to work with him regularly have their own stories to tell. I saw only a slimmer of the man, and what I saw was greatness. Black believed in, nurtured, and protected the institution of the Illinois House of Representatives, as “the people’s House,” where real democracy happens. He would occasionally refer to the Illinois Senate as the “House of Lords” if they attempted to assert authority or dominion over the House, and likewise crossed swords with governors of either party when they attempted to tilt the balance of power between the co-equal branches. I think his advocacy for the House of Representatives sprang not from some lofty constitutional convictions, but from a deep, true love of the people he represented, in all their diversity. But as a pragmatist in both lawmaking and politics, he also seemed to understand that democracy demands bipartisanship to get big things done. And that true bipartisanship requires people on both sides of the aisle who are joined by the bonds of trust, shared values, and the shared goal of advancing the common good of the state. I have known many great Republicans, but Bill Black was among the very best in my eyes. - George Ryan Reynolds - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 10:52 am: I think he was the first person I heard use the phrase “I may have been born in the morning, but it wasn’t yesterday morning.” - Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 11:14 am: - YDD - Your comment, so well put. Appreciate your kind words, back at you, thank you for sharing - Oldtimer - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 11:19 am: Tried to post earlier but it didn’t make it through. Apologies if this shows up two times. I was a legislative staffer during part of Bill Black’s tenure. Here are a few of my memories of the Gentleman from Vermilion: –The 1992 physical confrontation on the House Floor with Terry Parke over the Education Amendment. The look on Tom Ryder’s face as it started in front of him. The tussle finally broken up by self-described Mother of Five Jane Barnes. –He genuinely believed that the Minority Party should not be run roughshod over by the Majority through parliamentary rules. I always thought Bill was a bit embarrassed when Lee Daniels put through rules in House 1995 that further limited the rights of the Minority. –Some thought Bill’s outbursts were all an act. Some were. Others were 100% genuine. He laid into me one time after the Speaker moved a bill of his to another committee at the last minute. Bill thought it was a deliberate attempt to kill his legislation. As the Speaker’s committee staff, I took the brunt of his anger. Bill later sought me out and apologized, the only member to ever apologize to me in 12 years. –I saw many good debaters in the House: Jim McPike, Barbara Currie, Lou Lang, Tom Cross, Tom Ryder, and more. Bill, however, was the best. He was so good that he occasionally changed member’s votes. And never give him a second bite at the apple by using his name in debate. RIP Representative Black - Moi - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 11:29 am: Leader Black was one of the most honest people I have ever had the opportunity to cross paths with. His powerful and colorful verbiage skills were unsurpassed. I was a staffer back then, and he always said hello and was very respectful. Rest in power, Leader Black. - low level - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 11:52 am: Yes, what a truly genuine individual. Talk about a straight shooter. Then he’d have all of us in stitches. Remarkable. He was the one Republican I learned from and have thought about all these years later. Condolences to his family. - David Miller - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 12:25 pm: Very saddened to hear the news Bill was one of a kind. A great orator and you had to know your legislation if his light came on while you were presenting a bill. I remembered when he collapse on the House Floor I went over to offer me or Beth Coulson to offer mouth to mouth once he appeared he was gonna be OK. He looked at me a smiled RIH Bill. - DougChicago - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 12:40 pm: I worked with Bill as a staffer many, many years ago. He had his imperfections, of course, but he was a fine man. - Fmr Rep - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 12:48 pm: Wow. What an icon. I served with Bill for several years in the G.A. and also on the leadership team. You knew where he stood at all times. Any disagreement was NEVER personal. He LOVED the G.A. and the process. He helped others understand the oath they took and the responsibility it carried. He was true to his word. “The Chair recognizes Leader Black”… I hope the Speak light is always lit for you. RIP Leader. My sincere condolences to Bill’s family. - Dirty Red - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 12:50 pm: Bill Black was a unique statesman and leader whose take on passionate, microphone slamming speeches in Springfield have influenced floor debate at the highest levels of U.S. government. I’m thinking today of how Leader Black managed to represent the House Republicans, his district and the other 117 members without compromising his integrity, his oath of office and his personal core values. The staff who witnessed on their first day a Leader Black floor speech were absolutely correct when they expressed more excitement over what they had just seen than those of us more accustomed to his passionate outbursts: These things do NOT happen every day. - SAP - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 12:51 pm: In one my favorite debates, on a bill to create a criminal offense for using a dog as a weapon, Bill Black got up to speak. He talked about how he used to walk his little dog. Sometimes in rainy weather he’d pick up the dog and tuck it under his coat to keep him dry. Bill asked if his dog popped his head out from under the coat and bit someone, would there be an aggravated penalty for carrying a concealed dog. - Linus - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 1:23 pm: Bill Black was a giant of a lawmaker. He and I didn’t always agree on quite everything, but in those instances we agreed to disagree and to keep things friendly and respectful. Others have used the word “pragmatic” to describe him, and very accurately. I’d add “human” and “genuine,” as he was a very down-to-earth and grounded human being. Once, I was part of a group working a bill to help low-income families. Rep. Black essentially told us: “I’m very strongly in favor of your legislation. And I know that I often rub some folks the wrong way. So if you think I could help attract more votes by actually speaking against your proposal, let me know and I’ll do that. Whatever helps the cause.” No sir, we told him: We want you to be a chief co-sponsor and speak FOR the bill, if you please. And he did both, and our measure passed with plenty of votes to spare, thanks in part to Bill’s passionate support. Those of us who knew and worked with Rep. Black have already missed him in Springfield. Today, I miss him even more. - Chad Hays - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 2:09 pm: Bill Black is an East Central Illinois legend. He loved the House and the process. He was at the same time an overt partisan in his role as floor leader, yet very pragmatic in his willingness to work across the isle for the good of all. A ferocious advocate on behalf of his constituency and home area, he came from an era where elected officials chose to govern. I learned much from Representative Black. It was an honor and a privilege to know him well. Godspeed to an incredibly good man. - Observation - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 2:53 pm: I was on legislative staff when Representative Black first took office. In the beginning we had to be on our toes to answer his countless questions. He was a true critical thinker that kept us on our toes, yet he possessed a level of common sense that others lacked. Many are legislators. Few are statesmen. Representative Black was a statesman. Rest well, Bill. - Suburbanon - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 3:13 pm: Rep. Bill Black served with distinction in a very different time in the GA when Republicans and Democrats could fight aggressively for their bills in Committee or on the floor of the House with a spirited debate and then walk off the floor together laughing and patting each other on the back. That wouldn’t happen in today’s world of ideological purity. His antics in debate are legend but so was his kind nature and willingness to work with people he disagreed with. No one, and I mean no one, slammed a mike down to punctuate a debate point better than Bill Black. Rest in Peace Rep. Bill Black, “an incredibly good man” to quote Chad Hays above. - David Starrett - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 4:19 pm: Of all the Republicans this liberal Goo-goo lobbyist ever worked with to get things over the line, Bill gave me the greatest pleasure. I met him when I was a light green newbie as a State Student Association lobbyist and he was a freshman Rep. sitting on the House Higher Ed. Committee. He had come from the faculty at Danville Community College, and never lost that simple, sensible, approach to everything. He took his job and his district very seriously, but never took himself very seriously. His sense of proportion and humor was often a surprising delight. He was always good for his word, and expected me to be. So much so, that I considered myself honor-bound never to disappoint him, and it taught me a lesson some lobbyists never learn. He will be missed by many, not least by me. - NorthSideNoMore - Monday, Sep 11, 23 @ 4:36 pm: Sorry to hear of his passing. Bill was a one of a kind. He was hlways happy tp share with you his opinion on issues and to explain to you the how and why. While he sometimes was a bit theatrical, he was truly a statesman and gentleman. Godspeed Sir. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.