State Rep. Rich Myers, R-Colchester, passed away Wednesday night at McDonough District Hospital after battling prostate cancer since earlier this year. He was 62.
The 94th District state representative died with his wife, Chris, and his daughter, Alison, by his side.
Macomb…With wife Chris, and daughter Alison by his side, State Representative Rich Myers passed away Wednesday evening. The 62-year-old Myers had been diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. A state lawmaker for 16 years, Myers had recently been re-elected as State Representative of the 94th District and was optimistic about his recovery and courageously fought the disease to the end. The family is requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Funeral arrangements for Representative Myers are pending and details will be forthcoming.
Myers was a farmer in the Colchester area and was a Western Illinois University alumnus.
“Rep. Myers was an outstanding legislator and a friend. He always kept his family, his district and our state as his top priorities and represented them exceptionally well. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during their time of grief.”
-Rep. Tom Cross
Illinois House Minority Leader
“Representative Rich Myers gave us 16 years of public service,” said state Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville.
“Rich Myers was a loyal Western Illinois University alumnus and was a tireless advocate for higher education in the state of Illinois,” WIU President Al Goldfarb said.
Macomb, IL…On Thursday, State Representative Rich Myers (R-Colchester) was honored with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce Champion of Free Enterprise Award for his outstanding legislative record of supporting pro-job and pro-business policies in the General Assembly. Over the past five General Assemblies Rep. Myers has averaged an over 90% pro-business voting record.
“The national recession combined with Illinois’ terrible budget situation has created an unstable, unreliable economic environment throughout the state,” said Rep. Myers. “If we are going to return Illinois to national economic leader we must create a positive business environment where the private sector is not hampered with higher taxes and additional regulations. It is imperative that we put in place policies that encourage growth and investment here in Illinois, and capitalize on the immense talent within our state.”
The Chamber’s ratings are based on legislators’ votes on the key business legislation of the 96th General Assembly. The votes in the Senate and House are selected based on their impact on the business community and, to a lesser extent, the gap between opposing views on the issue. The votes are weighted accordingly.
“The Illinois Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize legislators that have made special contributions in the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans,” said Todd Maisch, the Chamber’s Vice President for Government Affairs. “Legislators with Illinois Chamber ratings averaging 85% or better over the previous three General Assemblies have demonstrated their commitment to legislation that frees the entrepreneurial spirit and qualify for the award.”
Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead said Myers touched many lives in western Illinois.
“He was a real gentleman and a statesman,” Wisslead said. “The great thing was that he was able to work on both sides of the aisle, and that made things easier for the city of Macomb. He will sure be missed.”
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn also remembered Myers in a statement Thursday.
“Rich was a good man who served the people of Illinois for many years with a servant’s heart. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him,” Quinn said.
