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* From Rep. Stefanie Kifowit’s Facebook page…
It is with great sadness to tell you that my colleague and friend Representative Esther Golar, who represented the 6th District in Chicago, has passed away. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by so many people.
Rep. Golar was dedicated to her job, her district and her state. She had to check out of the hospital to travel to Springfield for session earlier this month. She was a trouper. She was also a very kind soul.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:38 am
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Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition
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This is absolutely devastating. It just can’t be.
Comment by State worker Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:43 am
What a loss. A true champion for so many who many who don’t always have a voice. I know God welcomed her with open arms. RIP Esther and prayers to all her friends and family.
Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:46 am
Esther truly was among the nicest, kindest people working in Springfield, and she really cared. She will be enormously missed.
Comment by Linus Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:46 am
My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Golar’s friends and family during this difficult time.
A trouper indeed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:46 am
Truly, one of the best I’ve worked with. I will miss her terribly. Her wonderful, custom-made songs that she sang on the floor are some of my all-time favorite memories. Godspeed Representative.
Comment by Lobo Y Olla Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:48 am
Profiles in Courage.
Comment by John A Logan Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:51 am
Requiescat in pace. A beautiful, kind, caring person. A selfless public servant whose first priority was to speak for the voiceless, marginalized and ignored. This is a terrible loss for our state.
Comment by Willie Stark Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:55 am
What a wonderful woman. So sad gone too soon! She was one of the good ones
Comment by GA Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:56 am
My political beliefs never really lined up with Rep. Golar’s but we always found common ground in our faith. I had the pleasure of working with her closely on some legislation and always enjoyed running into to her in the halls. She would always brightened my day. I will mourn the loss of this bright light of God in the halls of our State House.
Comment by Eastside Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:05 am
Nothing illuminated the value of her life more, than how she chose to spend it working for us. Her presence during the veto session will never be forgotten as an example for which all civil servants should remember and strive to emulate.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:09 am
May the perpetual light shine upon her. Godspeed dear lady! Heaven awaits.
Comment by A guy Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:13 am
A very kind and compassionate person who would tell it like it was and always help you out if you asked.
Comment by LBJ Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:14 am
rest well. you were a warrior in your last days!
Comment by Amalia Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:31 am
Feeling sad that Esther has passed on. A great friend to people with disabilities, and a champion for disability rights. Always gracious and kind to so many, especially people with very little money and power. The people I work with, some of the poorest of the poor, could always count on a warm welcome from Esther Golar. Ideology is one thing but humanity is what brings progress. Esther was a stalwart warrior for humanity.
Comment by Amber Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:36 am
I didn’t know Rep. Golar on a personal level, but working with her on a few items made you feel that way. She treated people with compassion, warmth and respect. She made me, and I believe many others, feel good about people in government. My thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.
Comment by Martin Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:43 am
Although I did not “know” Rep. Golar, I did meet her and observed her to be a fully persuaded woman of faith. During a meeting, she opened with a song unto God. Little did I know of her health challenges. I applaud her commitment to use what time she had left to show up! She showed up for her community in the fight for LIHEAP and showed up for vital votes in Springfield.In her life and face with death, she she worked on issues that are matters of life and death for many. What a true selfless public servant!
Comment by Virginia Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 10:00 am
I knew Esther for many, many years. She was a member of the LSC when I was a teacher at Fulton. She was always an advocate for the children and a strong supporter of the teachers. She would bump heads with the principals and stood with those of us who demanded that our students receive the same type of resources that other schools that are in affluent neighborhoods always seems to have and never have to beg to get. This is so very sad and Esther will be missed. Prayers for her children and grandchildren.
Comment by Marcia Brown-Williams Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 10:04 am
I remember Esther most for her strong faith, and secondly for her moxie, which she demonstrated as a freshman when she called her first bill and stood up to the Black & Lang harassment.
Comment by nona Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 10:16 am
She was a great human being, and a dedicated legislator. I spent many a train ride watching her go through a pile of file folders with bill briefings. She will be missed.
Comment by Anon Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 10:20 am
Such a kind, beautiful spirit, and a true champion for those often overlooked or marginalized. We in the disability community will miss her sorely. RIP dear Esther.
Comment by INCIL Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 10:38 am
It said so much about her that she left the hospital to show up and vote in support of children, the elderly, and the disabled. A true champion.
Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 10:45 am
I am so sorry to learn of Rep. Golar’s passing. I can’t count the times I saw her deep in conversation with people around the rail who needed her help to call attention to some issue they cared about. She was unfailingly kind and simply one of the nicest people I ever had the pleasure of working with at the Capitol over the years. She will be deeply missed.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:28 am
My condolences to all friends family members. Ms.Esther Golar may you rrest in paradise you will not be forgotten fir all the good things you did.
Comment by Eva Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:31 am
A privilege to have worked with Rep. Golar. May her memory be a blessing.
Comment by stateandlake Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:31 am
My condolences to all friends family members. Ms.Esther Golar may you rest in paradise you will not be forgotten for all the good things you did.
Comment by Eva Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:31 am
So very saddened…she fought for working people to the very end and risked her health to be there for the people of the 6th district.
May god bless her family and may we remember her contributions to our great state.
Comment by Prairiestatedem Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:40 am
Our condolences go out to Ms.Esther Golar family and friends in this hard moment. We are truly sorry for your loss Ms.Esther Golar will never be forgotten she was a good hearted lady. We will miss you very much may you rest in paradise.
Comment by Gordies Foundation Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:41 am
I filed the campaign disclosure reports for Rep. Golar. She was a delight to work with. She was so dedicated to her job and knew what was the right thing to do. I will miss her smile and our conversations. She always asked about my family. God Bless her soul.
Comment by Barbara Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 11:58 am
On behalf of myself and my father Lonnie L.Wright. As our state representative but more so as a dear friend of our family. Ester will be greatly missed. She always stopped by just to say hello. Our prayers go out to the Golar family.
Comment by Lavette Wright Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 12:48 pm
She was a beautiful person inside and out. Today is a sad day everyone who’s lives she ever touched. We will all miss you very much.
Comment by Teresa Jackson Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 1:28 pm
My prayers for her family at this time of sorrow.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 1:34 pm
I visited with Esther Golar in the hospital last week and between the pain and discomfort of her illness she talked about leaving the hospital (AMA) against medical advice to travel to Springfield to vote on behalf of those she represented - she exclaimed that “I just had to go”. She expressed her disappointment in the vote to override the Governor on child care grants to needy families. She grieved the expectation of those moms who would be deprived of child care to place their children in safe, affordable places now may have to leave their children at home. She spoke about the union vote and how disappointed she was in that outcome. She even spoke about the future - ” we have to come up with a plan.” I will miss Esther standing up for the voiceless, those who need government services in the worst way and those who are the least of them. Rest well my friend.
Comment by Recorder Karen Yarbrough Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 2:27 pm
”
==- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 9:09 am:
Nothing illuminated the value of her life more, than how she chose to spend it working for us. Her presence during the veto session will never be forgotten as an example for which all civil servants should remember and strive to emulate.==
I agree 100%. She will rest in peace knowing she served others well. My heart goes out to her family & friends at this time of sorrow.
Comment by Mama Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 2:40 pm
I worked with her on a few issues and she was delightful to work with. She was also something which is becoming rare now - reasonable. She will be truly missed.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 2:46 pm
I am terribly saddened to learn of Rep. Golar’s passing. She was a deeply committed legislator and one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. I will always remember her for her dedication to the community she served as well as her humility, integrity and honesty. She was a truth teller and advocate. I will miss her. Rest well my friend. May God keep you in His firm embrace.
Comment by Karin Norington-Reaves Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 2:50 pm
A lovely, loving person. Smart and tough, but not mean. To hear her sing to inspire better government was a priceless life experience.
Comment by walker Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 3:25 pm
Rep Golar was my representative. I went to Springfield last April to lobby as a citizen in support of climate action. I didn’t get the chance to talk to her face-to-face, but left her a hand written letter. Later that day, she called me and thanked me for coming down. She let me know how important clean jobs were to her, and made sure I had her cell phone number so that I could reach her with my concerns as her constituent. I wish all elected officials made themselves so accessible to their constituents and actively encouraged them to engage. We will miss you Rep. Golar. Thank you for being a model of an elected official.
Comment by CWooten Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 3:44 pm
Very sad to hear, and condolences to those who cared for and loved her.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 4:46 pm
How sad. She showed real courage and dedication coming to Springfield to cast what became a useless veto vote. You can fault her politics, but her tenacity and dedication to party was beyond question.
Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 5:05 pm
My deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her.
I was a great admirer of her dedication during the veto session, so sad she has left so suddenly.
Comment by Gobsmacked Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 6:41 pm
I am speechless and truly saddened by the passing of State Representative Esther Golar, a kind and virtuous woman. RIP, RIP.
Comment by Black Ivy Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:12 pm
She was a lovely person. I’m really sad she has passed on.
It’s kind of comforting to grieve here.
Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:19 pm
Tenacity, dedication and courage defines her actions when she made that last trip to the House Floor despite all her physical difficulties. There needs to be a Golar Award in her honor. Truly remarkable. I just wish others who chose to do otherwise would learn from her actions and intrigrity. God Speed Ester. Thank you for your friendship and kindness. You’ll be missed.
Comment by Just Saying .... Monday, Sep 21, 15 @ 8:27 pm
Ms Golar was truly a woman of her word and helped many families in need including mine. Esther you will be missed but never forgotten. Much Love!
Comment by Aester Monday, Sep 28, 15 @ 4:20 pm