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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Charles
4D. "Chuck" Sweeny of Rockford, who passed away on May 20, 2019;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was born in Rockford to Fay C. and
7Winifred M. Daniels Sweeny on October 26, 1948; he graduated
8from Auburn High School in 1966; he received a bachelor's
9degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago; he married
10Cherene Gourley in Rockford on March 3, 1973; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny began his career in journalism at the
12Rockford Register Star in 1984; he specialized in politics and
13also served as a reporter, columnist, political editor, and,
14most recently, senior editor; he was the face of the Register
15Star and gave the newspaper a personality it needed; his
16columns were must-reads, as his reporting and commentary were
17insightful, fair, and incredibly well sourced; he had the
18ability to inject humor into the often-tense public discourse;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was known as "the dean of local
21political journalists" by Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara; he
22interviewed mayors, governors, and presidents and was an

 

 

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1exceptional chronicler of Rockford's history; for decades, he
2helped the public understand government, local history, and
3civic issues and emphasized the importance of the role of a
4free press in a thriving democracy; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was voted best columnist in the
6Register Star's annual What Rocks reader poll; he was a
7sought-after speaker and a frequent debate moderator; he
8appeared as a commentator on local television, was a guest on
9National Public Radio, and was a regular user of Facebook; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was also a musician; he played
11electric piano in several bands that performed around the
12region; he will be remembered as a lifetime journalist,
13political advocate, and Rockford historian and commentator;
14and
 
15    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny was preceded in death by his parents;
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, Chuck Sweeny is survived by his wife, Cherene; his
18son, James M.D. Sweeny; his daughter, Stephanie M.M. Sweeny;
19his sister, Mary (Robert) Douglas; his brothers-in-law,
20Michael Gourley and Patrick (Cheryl) Gourley; his nieces and
21nephews, William C. Douglas, Emily A. Douglas, Todd Gourley,
22and Lisa Sanders; and his many other extended family members;

 

 

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1therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
3HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we mourn the passing of Charles D. "Chuck" Sweeny and extend
5our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
6knew and loved him; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the family of Chuck Sweeny as an expression of our
9deepest sympathy.