Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0272

SR0272 LRB104 13376 MST 25701 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Representative Charles Alphonse "Chuck" Hartke, who passed away on April 13, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was born to Alphonse and Sophia Hartke on May 7, 1944; he graduated from Teutopolis High School in 1962; he married Kathryn L. Hoene at St. Mary's of Help Catholic Church in Green Creek on August 10, 1963; he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Quang Tri, Vietnam as a field medic with the rank of E5 sergeant, overseeing triage operations; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was a dedicated full-time farmer in Effingham County from the time he returned from Vietnam until his appointment to the Illinois House of Representatives; he was a skilled grain farmer, raising corn and soybeans, and also managed livestock, raising both swine and sheep; he took immense pride in his work and was known for his forward-thinking approach to agriculture; he was one of the first farmers in Effingham County to implement a slatted-floor hog operation, reflecting his commitment to innovation and animal welfare; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was deeply involved in his local community; he first participated in zoning efforts for Effingham County and was later appointed to the Regional County Planning Commission; he served on the Effingham County Board from 1971 to 1974; he was chairman of the Effingham County Democratic Central Committee from 1978 to 1985 and served as a delegate to the Illinois State Democratic Convention in 1978, 1980, 1982, and 1984; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was deeply involved in local and state politics before his time in the Illinois General Assembly; he served as chairperson for the Effingham County Democrats from 1976 to 1984, where he encouraged younger generations to become involved through the Young Democrats of Effingham County; he also served as the precinct committee person for Effingham County-St. Francis from 1972 to 2003 and as state central committeeman for Illinois' 19th District from 1992 to 2000; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was appointed to the Illinois House of Representatives in January 1985, where he served with distinction for nine terms until May 2003; he was named assistant majority leader in 1997, a position he held through the remainder of his time in the House; he was well known for his approachable leadership style and deep connection to his constituents, and one of his most beloved traditions was hosting the annual Beer & Brat fundraiser at the former Green Lantern Restaurant; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture after his time in the State legislature; his deep roots in farming and agriculture made him a natural fit for the position, and he continued to advocate for rural communities and Illinois farmers until stepping down on February 29, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke remained active in state affairs by joining the Illinois lobbying firm Morrill & Fiedler, LLC, where he continued to lend his voice and expertise to issues close to his heart; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke, in retirement, put his time and talent into building a greenhouse, where he cultivated a wide variety of plants and vegetables and offered them to the community in exchange for 100% donations to CSS (Community Support Systems) in Teutopolis; he was a lifelong member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Teutopolis, Knights of Columbus Council #2874, and American Legion Post 924; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn; his parents; his sisters, Mary Lou Vahling and Elvira Verdeyen; and his brothers, Gerald and Francis Hartke; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Hartke is survived by his fiancée, Brenda Holmes; his son, Christopher (Beth) Hartke; his daughter, Kimberly (Patrick) Deters; his grandchildren, Ryan Deters, Rachael (Curtis) Meuth, Jaelen (Rodrigo) Deters-Camargo, Madeline (Jordan) Ratermann, Anna (Mark) Wendell, and Jack Hartke; his great-grandson, Luke Wendell; his siblings, Margie Clayton Apke, Sally Wakefield, Patricia (Bob) Poston, Phillip (Carol) Hartke, and Michael (Eileen) Hartke; his sisters-in-law, Charlene (Jerry) Hartke, Joan (Frank) Hartke, Joyce (Raymond) Vahling, Dolores (Charlie) Kroeger, and Bernice Dasenbrock; and his brother-in-law, Henry (Lois) Hoene; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former Illinois State Representative Charles Alphonse "Chuck" Hartke and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rep. Hartke as an expression of our deepest sympathy.