Tuesday, March 23, 2010

NW Herald: Former IL Senator Dick Klemm Dies

FROM THE NORTHWEST HERALD

CRYSTAL LAKE – Dick Klemm never lost an election.

Not one, said his district manager for 13 years, Geri Davis.

From his entry into public service on the Nunda Township board, seven years as school District 46 president, and eight years McHenry County Board president, Klemm moved to the state level where he was a representative for 12 years and served another 10 as state senator.

Klemm died from a stroke Monday. He was in his 70s.

He had previously been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer, which forced him to resign from his senate seat in 2003.

"He had a smile that could melt the hardest Democrat," Davis said. "I don't know anyone on either side of the House or the Senate who didn't like [Klemm]."

Pam Althoff was named as Klemm's replacement in the state Senate.

"He was just one of those individuals who was able to bring people together and was able to leave a wonderful legacy here in the statehouse," Althoff said through tears. "He was a true statesman."

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