Joel Brunsvold | |
|---|---|
| Member of the IllinoisHouseofRepresentatives from the 72nd district | |
| In office January 1983 –February 2003 | |
| Preceded by | New District |
| Succeeded by | Patrick J. Verschoore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 26,1942 Mason City,Iowa |
| Died | September 7,2010 (aged 68) Iowa City,Iowa |
| Resting place | Preemption Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Barbara Bashaw (m.1964) |
| Children | Timothy Joel Brunsvold Theodore J. Brunsvold |
| Residence | Milan,Illinois |
| Alma mater | Augustana College |
| Profession | Teacher |
Joel Brunsvold was an Illinois politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives and later as the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. [1]
Joel Brunsvold was born February 26,1942,in Mason City,Iowa. [2] Brunsvold's family later moved Wisconsin before settling in Rock Island where he graduated from Rock Island High School in 1960. [3] He went on to study at Augustana College,where he earned a bachelor of arts and set multiple football records while playing for the Augustana Vikings that still stand today. During his last semester,he married his wife Barbara L. Bashaw. [3]
He became a teacher at Coyne Center Grade School and later Sherrad High School,where he taught science and coached football. [3] Before entering politics full-time,he split his time between teaching and serving as a Milan Village Trustee,and later the Mayor of Milan. [1] In 1982,he won election to the Illinois House of Representatives. As State Representative,Joel,at various times,was the chair of the Agriculture and Conservation Committee and the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee,respectively. [3] He also served as the Democratic Caucus Chairman and an Assistant Majority Leader. [1]
As a legislator,he was remembered for his advocacy for hunters including gun ownership,nature preservation and legislation related to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He founded and co-chaired the Illinois Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus,an organization that raised money and awareness for outdoor activities for disabled youth. [2] A lifelong hunter,he cited those memories throughout his political career as his motivation. [1]
In 2003,Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Brunsvold to serve as the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where he managed a budget of $700 million. He resigned as Director in December 2005.
Mr. Brunsvold died September 7,2010,at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a massive stroke. [1] In a statement,Gov. Pat Quinn referred to him as "a good man and a devoted public servant." [1] He was memorialized on the floor of the Illinois Senate by Mike Jacobs later in the year. [4] In the following session,Senator Jacbos proposed legislation to rename the Department of Natural Resources's headquarters after Joel Brunsvold. [5]