Adeline Geo-Karis

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis (March 29, 1918 – February 10, 2008) was a Republican politician and a member of the Illinois Senate for the 31st District, where she served for over 25 years.[1] Prior to her election as Senator, she was in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979.[1] Known simply as "Geo" to her constituents, she was a popular politician in Lake County, Illinois for many years.[2] Known for her no-nonsense attitude and her ability to work across party lines,[2] she also served for a time as Mayor of Zion.

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 31st district
In office
January 1979 (1979-Jan) – January 2007 (2007-Jan)
Preceded byLarry Leonard
Succeeded byMichael Bond
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1973–1979
Personal details
Born
Antigone Geokaris

(1918-03-29)March 29, 1918
Tegeas, Greece
DiedFebruary 10, 2008(2008-02-10) (aged 89)
Glenview, Illinois
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceZion, Illinois
Alma materNorthwestern University (B.S.)
DePaul University (J.D.)
ProfessionAttorney
Politician
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Naval Reserve
RankLieutenant commander

Life

Born in Greece,[1] Geo-Karis came to America at the age of four with her parents.[2] She attended Northwestern University and the DePaul University College of Law.[1] She rose to the rank Lt. Commander in the United States Naval Reserves before retiring with a top secret security clearance.[1] She also served as a Justice of the Peace and later as an assistant state's attorney in Lake County.[1]

Due to an inter-party feud which included Republican Susan Simpson challenging Geo-Karis after she had told her she wanted to stay on for one more term, Geo-Karis endorsed Democrat Michael Bond to replace her.[3] Bond's election, in a historically Republican district, was one of the many Democratic victories in 2006 that gave the Democratic Party a super-majority in the State Senate. Geo-Karis finished her final term in the 94th General Assembly where she served as the Executive Appointments Co-Chairperson. She also served on the Senate Committee of the Whole and the Pensions & Investments committees.[1] Geo-Karis was also an avid supporter of Saint Demitrios Greek Orthodox Church, and was a member there for over fifty years.

Death and legacy

She died on February 10, 2008, aged 89, of natural causes, at Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, Illinois.[4] The Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park in Zion is named for her.[5]

References
  1. Senator Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Archived August 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "The Illinois GOP by Aaron Chambers - Illinois Issues". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  3. 6/19/05-3/15/07 Archived September 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Ex-state Sen. Adeline Geo-Karis, 89, was a pioneer for women and a force in Illinois GOP (Chicago Tribune obit)
  5. Adeline Jay Geo-Karis State Park Archived June 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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