Schaumburg Township Trustee Taccini dies

Schaumburg Township Trustee Richard Taccini died Sunday afternoon, nine days after suffering a cardiac arrest while exercising at a Schaumburg health club.

Taccini, 70, had been largely comatose but in stable condition at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village since collapsing March 25, Schaumburg Township Supervisor Mary Wroblewski said Monday.

But his situation remained precarious throughout his weeklong stay, she added, leaving family and friends uncertain about his chances for improvement.

Taccini had served on the board since being elected trustee in 2004. He has also been in charge of the Republican election judges for the township and was active in the Schaumburg Township Historical Society.

“He was just a really good guy,” Wroblewski said. “A nice guy, and dedicated. He was an advocate for the taxpayers and for the people who work here (at the township office) as well. He'll be difficult to replace.”

Taccini is survived by his wife, Dorothy, four daughters and six grandchildren.

His daughter, Angelene Taccini, said her father was an Army veteran who'd earned his business degree from Loyola University in Chicago. He was very active at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Schaumburg.

Angelene added that her father was a huge fan of the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and Cubs. But it was his Cub fandom that truly defined his personality as an optimistic pragmatist, she said.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral Home, 330 W. Golf Road in Schaumburg. The funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to Chicago Cubs Charities, 1060 W. Addison, Chicago IL 60613 or to cubs.com. Donations will support the Dempster Family Foundation in its fight against DiGeorge Syndorme as will as supporting youth sports, fitness and health, education and literacy, and children with special needs.

Taccini had been working out, as usual, at the Meineke Recreation Center in Schaumburg when he collapsed. CPR-trained Schaumburg Park District staff and others were able to stabilize his condition before paramedics arrived.

Wroblewski said Taccini apparently was in good shape and made all the right choices concerning exercise and diet.

Wroblewski said the township now has 60 days to appoint a replacement. The appointee must be a resident of the township and a Republican, as was Taccini.

After an advertisement for the opening is posted, probably next week, the township board will jointly interview candidates before voting on an appointee, Wroblewski said.