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* Arrangements for former state Rep. Mike Smith…
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 from 3-7, at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton. A funeral services will be on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 10 am, at the funeral home.
* Journal Star…
Longtime friends and political colleagues from both sides of the aisle spent Saturday recalling “a good soul” — hardworking, even-tempered, kind lawmaker who died too soon.
Former state Rep. Mike Smith, D-Canton, died overnight Friday at age 48 of a heart attack.
The longtime state lawmaker, who left the Legislature in 2011 after a 16-year career and then served on the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, will be “remembered as one of the truly nice guys in the Legislature,” onetime colleague Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, said Saturday afternoon.
“Everybody was his friend,” he said. “He just had that kind of personality and that kind of charm.”
I lost count of the number of texts, e-mails and phone calls I received over the weekend pointing me to this and other stories.
* The man who defeated Smith in 2010 had a very classy statement…
Statement from Rep. Mike Unes on the passing of his predecessor, Rep. Mike Smith, overnight.
“I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Rep. Mike Smith. My sincere prayers and the prayers of our region are with his family and friends. I always found Mike to be a kind, caring man who cared deeply about public service. His service to our region will not be forgotten. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
* More…
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says that Smith set an example for what service to the people of his district and the people of Illinois should be. “Our thoughts are with his family and numbers friends who may be comforted by his legacy of service,” says Quinn of Smith’s passing.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan praised his dedication to both his district and to education. “No one worked more tirelessly on behalf of our school children than Mike Smith. Mike Smith always had a very keen interest in looking after the well-being of Canton and central Illinois.”
Mike was the youngest member of the House when he was first elected. He had health issues for years that he was never able to personally overcome. I’m really sorry to see him go.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:23 pm
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So sad. RIP Rep. Smith. You were a good one.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:33 pm
one of the really good guys
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:41 pm
Rep. Smith was incredibly kind, caring, and committed, just as others already have described him. He already was missed in Springfield, and now will be missed even moreso.
Comment by Linus Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:42 pm
My sympathies and prayers go out to the family. RIP Rep. Smith.
Comment by facts are stubborn things Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:43 pm
He left us way too soon. Rest in peace, friend.
Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:45 pm
Another one of the “good guys” in public service who was in for the right reasons. First Gene, now Mike. Rest in Peace Mike.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:45 pm
Soft spoken, with a heavy heart.
Comment by Yipperdo Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:50 pm
Rep. Mike Smith was someone I always looked forward to seeing at the Capitol. He had a terrific grasp of the state’s school funding issues and was an excellent communicator on the subject. Plus, you just got the feeling that he looked forward to being there every day to get the job done the best way he saw fit. So very sorry to learn of his passing especially at this early age. He had a lot more to contribute.
Comment by Jak Tichenor Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:52 pm
Very sad to hear this. Always a gentleman with a kind, caring nature.
Comment by Both Sides Now Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 5:05 pm
I talked to Mike a couple of times about education issues and was impressed by his knowledge. But, I was even more impressed by the fact that he listen intently to what I had to say and he really was a nice guy.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 9:21 pm