Senate honors Wendell Jones
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate Thursday honored former Palatine mayor and state Sen. Wendell Jones, who died last month.
Sen. Matt Murphy, who replaced Jones in the Senate, presented a resolution honoring Jones and calling him a “happy warrior.”
“For those of you who knew him, I can see the smile on your faces thinking about him,” Murphy said on the Senate floor.
“I know the Palatine community is going to miss him,” he said.
Lawmakers of both parties recalled Jones’ sense of humor.
“He had courage, as well as wit,” said Sen. Bill Haine, a Democrat from downstate Alton.
Jones was appointed to the Illinois Senate in 1998 to replace Peter Fitzgerald, who was moving on to the U.S. Senate. Jones served for nine years.
“He was just a tremendously good-natured man who served very well,” said Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican.