Representative William J. Tauzin

William J. Laurino (April 27, 1941 – August 12, 2023) was an American politician who served for more than a quarter century in the Illinois House of Representatives. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he grew up on the city’s Northwest Side in a family that would become closely associated with public service and Democratic politics. His early life in Chicago, a city marked by strong neighborhood identities and active ward organizations, helped shape his understanding of local government and constituent service, experiences that would later inform his legislative career.

After completing his primary and secondary education in Chicago, Laurino pursued higher education at Wilbur Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, where he undertook his initial collegiate studies. He later attended Loyola University Chicago, a private Jesuit institution, furthering his education in an environment that emphasized civic engagement and public responsibility. In addition to his academic pursuits, Laurino served in the United States Army, an experience that provided him with exposure to national service and discipline and contributed to his perspective on veterans’ issues and public policy.

Laurino’s formal entry into public life came with his participation in the Illinois Sixth Constitutional Convention of 1970. Elected as a delegate, he took part in the historic effort to revise and modernize the state’s governing document, which resulted in the Illinois Constitution of 1970. As a Democrat, he worked alongside colleagues from across the state to address issues of governmental structure, civil rights, and the balance of power between state and local authorities. His role in the convention established his reputation as a serious and capable legislator and provided a foundation for his subsequent electoral career.

In 1971, Laurino was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party, beginning a legislative tenure that would extend through 1997. Representing a district based in Chicago, he served in the House for more than 25 years, winning reelection multiple times and becoming a familiar figure in state politics. During his 26-year service, he contributed to the legislative process on a wide range of issues affecting both his constituents and the broader population of Illinois, including matters related to urban policy, education, public safety, and state governance. His long incumbency reflected sustained support from his district and an ability to navigate the evolving political landscape of Illinois over several decades.

Throughout his career in the Illinois House, Laurino participated actively in committee work and the day-to-day responsibilities of lawmaking, engaging in debate, sponsoring and co-sponsoring legislation, and working within the Democratic caucus. Serving during a period of significant change in Illinois and American politics—from the post–civil rights era through the late twentieth century—he was part of legislative deliberations on fiscal policy, infrastructure, and social services, as well as the ongoing implementation of the 1970 state constitution he had helped craft. His work contributed to the continuity and stability of representation for his Chicago district, where he was known for his attention to local concerns and responsiveness to constituents.

After leaving the Illinois House of Representatives in 1997, Laurino concluded his long tenure in elective office, marking the end of more than two decades of continuous legislative service. In his later years, he remained associated with the legacy of Chicago and Illinois Democratic politics and with the generation of lawmakers who had reshaped state government in the wake of the 1970 constitution. William J. Laurino died on August 12, 2023, closing a public life that spanned military service, constitutional reform, and a lengthy career in the Illinois General Assembly.