SR0557 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0557 LRB093 22225 HSS 51476 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Judge Thomas R. Smoker of Lake Forest on May 10, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Thomas R. Smoker was born September 29, 1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up in Park Ridge, where he attended Maine South High School; he received his undergraduate degree at Valparaiso University; he then attended John Marshall Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate; and

WHEREAS, Upon admission to the Illinois State Bar, he began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Lake County where he represented poor and indigent clients; he then began his practice in the private sector, opening the law firm of Walter and Smoker where he was a trial attorney specializing in criminal defense litigation and matrimonial cases, he was known for his integrity, sense of fairness and unmatched legal abilities; and

WHEREAS, In 1997, he was appointed to the position of Associate Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit after being rated as highly qualified by the Lake County Bar Association; Judge Smoker served in some of the most difficult and high volume court rooms in Lake County, always being known for his prompt and diligent attention to his cases and for the fairness of his decisions; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his duties on the bench, he actively went into the community routinely speaking at schools and to parent groups about legal issues and participated in school law related activities; he began the Law Merit Badge program for Boy Scouts at the Lake County Courthouse; and

WHEREAS, Judge Smoker was a devout Christian and attended Christ Church in Lake Forest; he participated in Bible Study and other small group programs; he was the founder of the Christian Legal Fellowship of Lake County, a group of Attorneys, Judges, and other members of the legal community who meet to study the Bible and share fellowship weekly; he was also a highly sought after speaker for devotional and spiritual programs, Divinity Schools, and to those with serious physical illnesses; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Judge Thomas R. Smoker will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife, JoAnn (nee Goode); and his loving children, Beth and Emily; his parents, Richard and Frances Elizabeth Smoker; his brothers, James (Nicole) Smoker and Stephen (Sharon) Smoker; his sisters, Linda (Tom) Milbourne and Nancy (Ed) McCash; his many loving nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, His family walked with him in his journey through life and gave him strength and peace through their love and faith in The Lord; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Judge Thomas R. Smoker along all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Judge Thomas R. Smoker as an expression of our deepest sympathy.