On the recordJune 22, 2023
earlier this month, my state of Illinois lost one of our most dedicated public servants. Her name was Mary Ann Lamm. She was a trailblazer and a changemaker in Illinois politics. Most importantly, she was a dear friend of mine. During her many decades of service to our State, Mary Ann made history as the longest serving county recorder in Sangamon County. And really, it is no wonder why she was elected--and reelected to this position a record-breaking eight times. Every single day, Mary Ann lived up to the motto that she created, and affixed to the letterhead for the county recorder's office: ``Public Service. Working for you.'' And Mary Ann's tenacious spirit was only surpassed by her selflessness. Even though she was a giant in Sangamon County, there was no problem too small for her to solve. Whether you were starting a business or buying a home, her doors were always open--and she was always ready to help. From making sure your paperwork was filed on time, to protecting your personal financial information, Mary Ann mastered the complexities of local government to make it work for the people. Mary Ann also was a pioneer in building a bench of political talent in Central Illinois. And today, there is a generation of leaders throughout our State who look to her legacy as the model for public service. Like me, before moving to Springfield, Mary Ann was born and raised in East St. Louis.…





