State Rep. Mark Beaubien Jr. Dies At 68
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (CBS) -- An Illinois state representative who was also a descendant of one of Chicago's pioneer settlers has died.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Dave Marsett reports, Rep. Mark Beaubien Jr. (R-Wauconda) collapsed and died Sunday during a House Republican event at the Arlington Park racetrack in Arlington Heights. The seven-term state representative was 68.
His district included Wauconda, as well as parts of several neighboring towns in Lake and McHenry County such as Barrington, Cary, Fox Lake, Fox River Grove, McHenry and Round Lake. He had served since 1996.
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House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) says Beaubien was known for his ability to work with all lawmakers on important issues.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Beaubien served with "integrity and fortitude."
Beaubien is also being mourned by Chicago's gay and lesbian community, as a strong supporter of gay rights among Republican lawmakers.
Gay Chicago Magazine reported that Beaubien backed legislation to ban discrimination against the LGBT community in the 1990s, and lobbied other Republican lawmakers to back the legislation too.
Gay rights activist Rick Garcia told the magazine Beaubien was "a great representative and a great friend to our community."
Beaubien is also a descendant of an early Chicago settler, who was also named Mark Beaubien, the Chicago Tribune pointed out.
As the Encyclopedia of Chicago recounts, Mark Beaubien the pioneer came to Chicago from Detroit in 1826, and five years later constructed the first frame structure in the budding city – the Sauganash Hotel – near what is now Lake Street and North Wacker Drive.
It was in the Sauganash Hotel that the first trustees of the Town of Chicago were elected in 1833.
Beaubien Court, located just north of Millennium Park, is named in honor of the pioneer Mark Beaubien.
Mark Beaubien Jr. is survived by his wife, Dee, and their two sons.
