Beaubien honored on House floor

SPRINGFIELD — His former colleagues in the Illinois House honored the late Rep. Mark Beaubien on the chamber floor Wednesday, delivering emotional remembrances of the longtime lawmaker.

The Barrington Hills Republican died earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.

Plaudits on the House floor came from lawmakers from both parties who remembered especially how Beaubien attended legislative session in tense days of late May despite being sick.

“He never wanted us to know how sick he was,” said Rep. Sidney Mathias, a Buffalo Grove Republican.

Lawmakers unanimously approved a resolution in his honor. The resolution lists his “yes” vote to allow civil unions in Illinois among his proudest moments.

Members of Beaubien’s family were in attendance.

“Thank you again for sharing his wonderful, wonderful life with us,” said Rep. Patti Bellock, a Hinsdale Republican.

Rep. Rosemary Mulligan, a Des Plaines Republican and fellow budget expert in the House, tearfully remembered Beaubien’s sense of humor.

“You never knew what kind of a funny joke he was going to make,” she said.

After his death, Beaubien was replaced in the House by Rep. Kent Gaffney, a Lake Barrington Republican.