Remembering Lane Evans

Lane Evans, longtime Member of Congress representing the 17th District of Illinois, passed away Nov. 5 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

A true man of the people who insisted on being known to all simply as Lane, he was a champion of organized labor. A Vietnam-era veteran, he was a fierce advocate for all who served. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 at the age of 31, he became a role model to generations of leaders from Jan Schakowsky and Paul Wellstone, who served with him in Congress, through Phil Hare and Mike Smiddy who worked on his staff.

Lane's friend and legal guardian Mike Malmstrom told the Rock Island Argus that Evans "was an everyday guy. He cared about the vets. He cared about blue-collar workers. He'd fight for anyone who needed his help. I'd like to think, because of him, we have a greater nation. People on both sides of the aisle, whether they agreed with him or not, respected him."

In recent years, Lane Evans resided at the Hope Creek Care Center, a public nursing home owned by Rock Island County where the employees are members of AFSCME Local 2025. Lane was a strong supporter of the home as a public safety net for all residents of Rock Island County, and fought those trying to privatize it until his very last day.

"Lane was one of the greatest individuals I have had the privilege of knowing," state Rep. Smiddy told the Argus. "Today, the champion of so many will be remembered for all he did. Thank Heaven for Lane Evans."

To view an archive of more than 70 photos of Lane Evans through the years, click here.