Rep. Bill Black Retiring

Rep. Bill Black has threatened to retire many times, but this time it's real.

His retirement release is here.

“I have enjoyed being in the Illinois House for the past 22 years and I intend to fulfill the balance of my term. I am proud of my accomplishments, but it is time to slow down… At this age, I just want to spend more time with my wife, Sharon, my children and my grandchildren. My grandchildren are growing up before my eyes and I want to enjoy them.”

Rep. Black was a staunch representative of his Distirct, and he will be missed.  More about the 104th later.

Hat tip: Cap Fax Blog.

UPDATE:  Democratic State Rep. John Fritchey pays tribute:

But what I admire most about Bill Black is his sincere respect for the process. He knows as well as any of us do that politics is an integral part of the process, but he never lets anybody forget that there is a process, a way of how things are supposed to be done in the Legislature, that is bigger than any of us.

Not a Democrat/Republican process; not a Chicago/Central Illinois/Downstate process; but an obligation to remember that this institution should prevail over the whims or agendas of the men and women who temporarily serve in it.

I sat with Bill in his office today, needing to know what could lead a man whose love for the job is so great to leave it, and I got the one answer that I knew it had to be. His family.

We talked of grandkids, and parents, and the realization that our lives keep ticking by with every passing session. And that the time has to come when you deserve to, need to, put your full focus where it needs to be. That lesson becomes that much clearer in a session like this one, with countless family plans having been canceled. It's no wonder that a number of veteran legislators have said 'enough', and I wouldn't be surprised if there were more to follow.

Many men and women have served in the Illinois House over the years. Only a handful of them have made any meaningful impact. Bill Black is in that handful. I've tried to learn a lot from Bill, and if I've only taken away a fraction of it, I'll be a better legislator for having served with him. The Illinois House is a better place for having had him in it.

Very well done, Rep. Fritchey.