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* Jerry Joyce was my state Senator growing up in Iroquois County. His defeat of Ed McBroom, who ran the Kankakee County Republican Party like the Democrats ran Chicago, was a stunning upset.
Those upsets were pretty common in the post-Watergate wave year of 1974, but that one had huge local and statewide consequences. Jerry’s win not only drove a big stake into the local GOP machine’s heart, but it also helped flip the Senate to the Democrats, which (aside from the time that Gov. Thompson wouldn’t let go of the gavel) the party did not relinquish for 18 years.
His win, along with several others, remade the Senate, not always to Mayor Richard J. Daley’s liking. Jerry was part of the “Crazy Eights,” a group of mainly Downstate Democrats who refused to vote lockstep with old man Daley (click here for a good backgrounder)
Jerry was mapped out of the Senate during the 1991 GOP remap. I ran into him in Key West at the end of a week’s vacation back in 2002 and enjoyed myself so much I extended my vacation for another week. He was a delight to hang out with and was full of great stories. I will cherish that time for the rest of my life, but I wish I had taken notes. I’ve known Jerry’s daughter Lori for decades. She was an indispensable high-level Senate Democratic staffer who left the business to raise a fine family with former Speaker Madigan Issues Staff Director Tom Cullen.
* The Kankakee Daily Journal’s obit is top notch…
Jerry Joyce, a 17-year Illinois state senator and a champion for agriculture and outdoor issues throughout the state, died June 19. He was 80.
In addition to his Springfield tenure, Joyce, from Essex in western Kankakee County, served on the Kankakee County Board.
A farmer and a Democrat, Joyce scored a major election upset in November 1974 when he defeated Sen. Ed McBroom, a Kankakee resident and Republican political heavyweight, to represent the Illinois 43rd Senate district, which included the counties of Kankakee, Iroquois, Grundy, Ford, as well as the southwestern portion of Will County. […]
Robert Themer, a retired longtime Daily Journal editor and reporter, called Joyce the greatest elected official he had ever covered.
“There is no one that I’ve covered that I’ve admired as much as Jerry Joyce. He was a tremendous advocate for this region,” he said.
Themer noted the advocacy Joyce had for the Kankakee River, the Kankakee River State Park and outdoor facilities in general.
* Bernie…
Illinois Auditor General FRANK MAUTINO, a Democrat from Spring Valley, fondly remembered Joyce as a “decent, kind human being.” Mautino came to the House in 1991, when he was appointed to replace his father, Rep. DICK MAUTINO, who died of a heart attack at age 53.
“He took his time with a young, downstate member coming in — I was 28 at the time — to help me,” Mautino told me. “He was always very, very willing to help, and to show, not only me, but other young members, how to get bills passed and get things done.”
The fact that Joyce, like Mautino, represented an agricultural area, plus Joyce’s friendship with Mautino’s father, helped them bond, the auditor general said.
“He was gregarious, kind of bigger than life,” Mautino said. “You knew when Jerry was in the room.”
Yep.
* Arrangements…
A memorial visitation will be at the R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory from 2 to 5 p.m. July 2. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Inurnment will be private. … In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in his name may be directed to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 10:36 am
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This piece about Joyce when juxtaposed against the story immediately preceding it (the family) is especially powerful.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 10:43 am
Jerome Joyce, who was often confused with the “other” Jerry Joyce (Jeremiah from the 19th Ward), was a lion of a man.
His intelligence, integrity, smile, and an always affable mood were his trademarks. Godspeed, good Senator.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 10:44 am
He was a giant and a hero of mine as a young man. His decency, kindness and integrity were legendary. Sincere condolences to Lori and the family.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 11:03 am
What a great guy. He was a very good friend of my dad, and his was one of the first campaigns I worked on.
He had huge picnics at his farm and, as junior high and high school student, I would go early to pick sweet corn, help park cars, and oversee the games set up for kids. When I was in high school, I knocked on doors for Jerry. When I was in college, I joined my dad on a trip to Springfield. We met Jerry in his office and had lunch with Jerry and Phil Rock.
I will never forget how friendly and helpful Jerry always was. He is one of the people who helped put in place my long-time commitment to participation in politics and government, most especially at the state level.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 11:13 am
Of course after losing to Sen. Joyce, Mr. McBroom returned to Springfield in the next election to the Illinois House alongside (then) Rep. George Ryan.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 11:14 am
I could write a book about my relationship with Jerry.
Having known him for nearly 50 years, his inspiration
guided me to a long career in public service in Kankakee
County and the General Assembly.
And yes, Rich, those laid back times in Key West
are memories I won’t forget.
My dear friend and colleague is at rest now. Becky
and I offer our deepest of sympathies to the Joyce
family.
Phil Novak, retired
Comment by J. Philip Novak Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 12:45 pm
Jerry was a great friend and colleague to my dad for many years in the Senate. I recall the two of them them carpooling so many times back and forth to Springfield. An excellent public servant and friend to our family. We offer the Joyce family our deepest condolences.
Comment by Kurt Sangmeister Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 2:54 pm
Growing up in Herscher, my dad did some political work for him during his County Board years and I met him a few times at events. He always seemed like a genuine guy. To my dad and the rest of the Kankakee County Democratic party, his defeat of Ed McBroom was like a miracle out of scripture. Rest in peace.
Comment by Steve Reick Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 4:59 pm
My dad was aprecinct committeeman back when Jerry was in the senate so I met Jerry and his wife Jan at quite a few functions back in those days. The annual picnics he had at his farm out by Essex always drew big crowds and were a lot of fun. Those were the days. RIP Jerry
Comment by iroquois county dem Monday, Jul 1, 19 @ 6:31 pm