Illinois lawmakers were saddened this week to learn that retired Republican state Sen. Ronald ‘Ron’ Wait died earlier this week. 

WTVO News reported that the 80-year-old long-serving former legislator passed away late on Monday evening at the age of 80.

A career that spanned decades

Originally from Belvidere, Illinois, Wait got his start in politics over four decades ago when he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives.

The state representative remained there for 10 years and later campaigned for a seat in the state Senate, representing the Illinois 68th and 69th districts from 1995 until 2011.

Meanwhile, WIFR noted that Wait was employed as a lawyer and an accountant and unsuccessfully ran for the position of Boone County Judge.

According to the Rockford Register Star, Wait's districts covered all of Boone County along with a substantial portion of Winnebago County.

He was succeeded in the Illinois House of Representatives by fellow Republican state Rep. Joe Sosnowski, who voiced praise for Wait following his death.

Wait remembered for being "hugely instrumental" in Boone County

"I'm saddened to hear of the passing of my predecessor, former State Representative Ron Wait," Sosnowski said in a social media post.

Sosnowski went on to add that Wait was "hugely instrumental in so many ways in Boone County and the surrounding area, and he will be missed."

Republican state Rep. Dave Syverson spoke up as well in a social media post of his own, stating, "We lost a local giant this morning with the passing of former state Rep Ron Wait."

"His impact on Boone County and the region was immeasurable. His kindness and generosity touched almost every life in Boone County. I had the privilege of his friendship and working with him for over 40 years, it’s a sad day."

"The epitome of what we look at as a good neighbor"

Syverson later told the Star that the 80-year-old former lawmaker "was, I think, the epitome of what we look at as a good neighbor."

A farmer, teacher, lawyer, accountant and Illinois lawmaker for 26 years has died at the age of 80. https://t.co/fYrTU9osCy

— Rockford Register Star (@rrstar) December 31, 2024

"When he left the legislature. He started doing so much more in the community. There probably isn’t an organization that hasn’t been touched by Ron Wait in Boone County," Syverson recalled.

"I think everyone in the community has nothing but good things to say about how he has touched their life in one way or another," the lawmaker went on to add.