Former Madison County State’s Attorney and Illinois State Sen. Bill Haine, 77, passed away early Monday morning.
"Strengthened by the sacraments of the Catholic Church and with his beloved wife of 50 years Anna by his side, retired Senator William R. Haine passed away early in the morning on August 16 after the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven," the Haine family said in a statement. "In this time of great sorrow, we feel great joy in knowing that Bill, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died peacefully. He was to the end a man of deep and committed Faith in Jesus Christ, surrounded by the songs and prayers of his family, to whom he had offered every ounce of his care and devotion. Though we have every hope that Bill has now joined all the angels and saints in the Kingdom of God for eternity, please continue to pray for his eternal salvation and the comfort of his family, who will miss him greatly."
Haine's son, current Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine, said his father lived a life dedicated to his family and his faith.
"My father is a hero," Haine stated. "Many know and appreciate him because of his exceptional life of public service. But all those accomplishments fade to footnotes when compared to his dedicated daily care for his wife and children and wonderful personal virtue. He had a deeply good, kind, generous, and faithful nature, the result of much grace and decades of integrity and fidelity to his family and his Catholic faith. The choices he made and examples he gave will echo in my mind forever, providing me and my own children with an extraordinary legacy to live up to. My whole family will miss him greatly. But we rejoice in the promise that the souls of the just are in the hands of God. And as much grace as my father brought his family in life, he will bring all the more from his new home in the Kingdom of God, where there is no pain nor tears nor sorrow any more."
Haine, a Democrat, was elected in 2002 as senator of Illinois’ 56th District, which includes the Alton area. He completed his last term in 2018 and chose not to run for re-election after he was diagnosed with blood cancer.
He served on the Criminal Law Committee, Judiciary Committee, Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee, Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Special Issues and Committee of the Whole.
Madison County Chief Judge Bill Mudge expressed his condolences in a statement Monday afternoon.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haine family as we mourn his loss," Mudge stated. "Bill touched the lives of many judges in this circuit as a friend, mentor or boss. His work as a Madison County Board Member, Madison County State's Attorney and Senator was exemplary. He will be greatly missed by us all."
The Madison County Coroner's Office issued a statement on Facebook noting Haine's dedication.
"He was a great supporter of this office during his term as States Attorney," the post states. "A true scholar, a real gentleman, smart politician, dedicated family man and just a decedent human being. We will keep him and his family in our prayer (sic). May he rest in peace."
The Alton Police Department recognized Haine for his impact on the community.
"Today, our community lost a leader, and the world lost an amazing human, but more importantly, a family lost a husband, father and grandfather," a Facebook post by the department states. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Haine family as they grieve."
Madison County Democratic Party Chair Randy Harris issued a statement saying Haine will be missed and remembered and calling him a "tireless advocate for working families and the Metro East."
"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Haine," Harris stated. "Bill was a tireless advocate for working families and the entire Metro East. Bill had a passion for helping and making a difference in people's every day lives. His dedication to both his faith and family was to be admired and celebrated. Bill was a true warrior and champion for our Region, and we will all sorely miss him. On behalf of the Madison County Democratic Party, we offer our condolences to his family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him."
Senate President Don Harmon remembered Haine for his dedication to his faith, family and the people.
"I was saddened to hear about the passing of former Senator Bill Haine yesterday," he wrote in a Facebook post. "There was no more a gentleman in the Senate than Bill. We came to Springfield around the same time, and I learned so much from him. Bill dedicated his life to public service, beginning by serving his country in Vietnam, holding several local elected offices and ultimately having a storied career in the Senate. His focus was always on serving the people of the Metro East, and he frequently worked across party lines to do so. He was a man of faith and family. Every time his family came to visit him on the Senate floor, it was easy to see he had a lot of which to be proud."
Bill Haine was born Aug. 8, 1944, in Alton. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University in 1967 and his juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law in 1974.
Following law school, Haine worked at the law firm of Bono and Haine in Wood River from 1978 to 1988. During that time, Haine served on the Madison County Board in 1978 and again from 1982-1986. He served on the Metro-East Transit District Board of Trustees from 1981-1988.
Haine was elected Madison County State’s Attorney in 1988 and served there until he became a senator in 2002.
Prior to his law and political career, Haine served in one tour of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army from 1967-1969.
Haine was also a member of civic organizations including the Alton Cemetery Board of Trustees, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Knights of Columbus, the Saint Anthony Hospital Health Center Board and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is a former commander of American Legion Post 204.
Bill and Anna Haine have seven children. They recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Aug. 7 with a public mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.