At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Waubonsee Community College Board of Trustees recognized outgoing state legislators Kay Hatcher, Tim Schmitz and Tom Cross for their years of public service and college support.
“Our commitment to provide students with enhanced educational opportunities is nurtured by the continued support and commitment from our elected officials,” said Dr. Lulu Blacksmith, Waubonsee’s Director of Governmental and Multicultural Affairs. “We are happy to express our gratitude to Representatives Hatcher, Schmitz and Cross for the contributions they have made in support of Waubonsee, our students and the community.”
Kay Hatcher, of Yorkville, chose to retire from the General Assembly after six years of representing the state’s 50th district. Prior to that, she had been elected to the Oswego School Board and Kendall County Board, and also served as president of the Kendall County Forest Preserve District.
Also retiring earlier this month was Tim Schmitz, of Batavia, who served as the 65th District Illinois State Representative since 1999. For his last three terms in office, Schmitz was elected as the Assistant Republican Leader, and in 2009, he was appointed Deputy Republican Leader.
Illinois House Republican Leader for the past 13 years, Tom Cross, of Oswego, is also ending his career in the Illinois General Assembly. He was first elected to represent the 97th District in 1992, and over the years has earned many honors, including the YMCA 2012 Legislative Hero Award.
