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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 Richard
4Duchossois, who passed away on January 28, 2022 at the age of
5100; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was born in Chicago on October
77, 1921; he was raised in Beverly and attended Morgan Park
8Military Academy from which he graduated in 1940; he attended
9Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Kentucky; and
 
10    WHEREAS, During World War II, Richard Duchossois served in
11the United States Army with distinction as commander of the
12610th Tank Destroyer Battalion, landing on Utah Beach in
13Normandy and serving under the 80th Division of General George
14Patton's Third Army; later, he led his battalion in the Battle
15of the Bulge; in recognition of his service, he was awarded the
16Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois joined the Thrall Car
18Manufacturing Company, becoming CEO and president; he
19subsequently purchased the Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp. and
20became its chairman; later, it was renamed Duchossois
21Industries; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois purchased and developed Hill
2'N' Dale Farm in Barrington Hills in McHenry County in 1967,
3which became one of Illinois' top thoroughbred breeding farms;
4in 1983, he purchased Arlington Park Race Track, which later
5merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2000; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois, affectionately known as "Mr.
7D", developed Arlington Park International Race Track into one
8of the most beautiful and renowned horse racing facilities in
9the world; he was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of
10Fame and the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, where
11he was named one their Pillars of the Turf; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois established the Duchossois
13Family Foundation (DFF), which has made donations in excess of
14$137 million to the University of Chicago Medical Center that
15culminated in the establishment of the Duchossois Family
16Institute and has made substantial impacts upon dozens of
17charitable organizations benefiting thousands of people in
18Illinois and across the United States through other
19philanthropic grants; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois received the Sword of Loyola
21Award from Loyola University in Chicago in 2014; he became a
22Director of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans,
23continuing his dedication to his country and to the mission of

 

 

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1educating current and future generations that freedom and
2independence are not free; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois was preceded in death by his
4first wife, Beverly, and their beloved son, R. Bruce
5Duchossois; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Richard Duchossois is survived by his wife, Mary
7Judith McKeage Duchossois, who he married in 2000 and who has
8lovingly stood by his side for all business, philanthropic,
9and family endeavors; his son, Craig J. (Janet) Duchossois;
10his daughter, Dayle Duchossois (Ed) Fortino; his daughter,
11Kimberly Duchossois; his stepsons, Steve (Sherrie) Marchi and
12Paul (Judy) Marchi; seven grandchildren and spouses; two
13step-grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren; therefore, be
14it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we mourn the passing of Richard L. Duchossois, commend his
18service to the community and the nation, and extend our
19sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
20and loved him; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
22presented to the family of Richard L. Duchossois as an

 

 

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1expression of our deepest sympathy.