News February 2008

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Former lawmaker Geo-Karis dies

Adeline Geo-Karis
The Illinois' Senate's longest-serving member and former mayor of Zion died February 10. She was 89.

As a state legislator, she represented the northeastern tip of Illinois for more than three decades. Elected to the Illinois House in 1973 and to the Senate in 1979, she previously told Illinois Issues that she felt proudest of her legislation for nuclear safety preparedness, alternative energy sources and new sentencing for people with mental illnesses.

Her legislative career ended when she lost a primary reelection bid in 2006.

"Believe it or not, I'm delighted it's over with, and I have no regrets," she said shortly after the election.

Born in Greece, she moved to Illinois as a child. She became a woman in a man's world, first studying political science at Northwestern University in Evanston and then earning her law degree from DePaul University in Chicago in 1942. She later ran her own law firm and served as a justice of the peace and an assistant state's attorney in Lake County.

She also was a military veteran, retiring as lieutenant commander with top-secret clearance in the U.S. Naval Reserves, based at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago.

Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson said in a statement that Geo-Karis "left an indelible mark on Illinois government" and was "proud to know she was the Grand Old Lady of the Grand Old Party."

"Her legislative career ended when she lost a primary reelection bid in 2006."

Illinois Issues, February 11, 2008