Late Rep. Washington honored

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House Thursday honored the late Eddie Washington, a state lawmaker from Waukegan who died in June.

Washington, 56, had served in the Illinois General Assembly since 2003. He was the first African American state lawmaker elected from Lake County.

The House adopted a resolution in his honor. It described his life's experiences and efforts in the General Assembly.

“As a former Corrections Deputy Officer with the Lake County Sheriff's Department, he had the unique experience of working both in law enforcement and as a mentor to help ex-offenders turn their lives around,” it reads in part.

Rep. JoAnn Osmond, an Antioch Republican whose district neighbors Washington's, said she enjoyed working with him, even though they were from different parties.

“He'd always give me one of those big bear hugs,” she said.

Washington was replaced in the House by Democrat Rita Mayfield of Waukegan.

“Eddie's legacy is that he fought for the least of us,” Mayfield said.

The 60th House District that Washington represented includes Waukegan, North Chicago and Park City.