Jacobs bill renames DNR Building after Joel Brunsvold

Legislation, sponsored by Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), renames a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Building, located on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, after the late Representative Joel D. Brunsvold.

"Representative Joel Brunsvold was an impassioned public servant and a great friend," Senator Jacobs stated. "I am proud to be able to sponsor this legislation with my colleague Representative Verschoore, and many others who worked with Joel in Springfield."

Representative Joel Brunsvold began his career of public service as a

Trustee for the Village of Milan where he was elected Mayor in 1977 for two successful terms. In 1982, he won election to the Illinois House of Representatives where he served 11 terms.

As State Representative, he chaired the House Agriculture and

Conservation Committee, Elementary and Secondary Education, and was appointed by the Speaker of the House as the Democratic Caucus Chairman and Assistant Majority Leader. During this time, he founded and co-chaired the Illinois Legislative Sportsman's Caucus, an organization that raised money and awareness for outdoor activities for disabled youth.

In 2003, the Governor appointed Representative Brunsvold to serve the State of Illinois as the Director of the Department of Natural

Resources, an agency with a budget of $700 million. He retired from the Agency in 2005.

This legislation has passed the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House

of Representatives unanimously and now goes to Governor Quinn for his consideration.