HR0444 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0444 LRB102 19716 LAW 28490 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William Norman "Bill" Krucks of Winnetka, who passed away on July 23, 2021; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks was born in Chicago on October 28, 1949 and grew up in Deerfield; he attained degrees from Tulane University and graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he ranked first in his class, served as editor of the Mississippi Law Journal, and was a member of the Moot Court Board; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks initially practiced law in Chicago at a prominent law firm; together with five partners and six staff, he departed his firm and co-founded the new law firm Freeborn & Peters LLP at the age of 33 in June 1983; he saw the firm grow into employing more than 350 people across five national offices in four states and become ranked among Chicago's elite; he was noted for his success and his dedication to his clients; he maintained many client relationships that lasted for more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks was named a leading lawyer in the fields of Labor, Employment, and Insurance Defense Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, a designation accorded to less than five percent of practicing lawyers in the United States; he was nominated as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation in 2011 and Fellow of the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks was committed to public service and his community; he was elected and served as the chair of the Village of Winnetka Caucus Council from 2010 to 2011; he was a commissioner of the Zoning Board of Appeals and the chair of the Winnetka Plan Commission; he served as a village trustee and a member of the Winnetka Village Council from 2014 to 2017; he belonged to the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Advisory Board since 2017; apart from his law practice and civic leadership, he also served as chairman, director, vice president, and general counsel for the Rauland-Borg Corporation; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks was an avid reader and a lifelong student; he loved his Cigarette Racing boat, the annual fishing trips he took with his friends, rock and roll, and his ever-improving golf game; he was devoted to his family, and he always coached his girls' soccer teams and helped with science projects; alongside his wife, he held multiple roles within the Trevian Girls Softball Association and could often be found cheering on the sidelines of their children's various sporting events; he will be remembered most for being a loving husband and father who never stopped giving; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lorraine (Rauland) Krucks; and

WHEREAS, William Krucks is survived by his wife, Linda; his brother, Kenneth R. Krucks; his children, Jaylee (McGarvey) House, Cary (Ashley) Levine, Kathryn "Kiki" Krucks, Greta Krucks Montagano, and Laura (Matt) Strautman; and his five grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William Norman "Bill" Krucks 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 William Krucks as an expression of our deepest sympathy.