Ralph C. Capparelli
Member of the
Illinois House of Representatives
from the 13th district
16th district (1971-1983)
In office
January 1971 (1971-Jan) – December 2004 (2004-Dec)
Preceded byWilliam M. Zachacki
Succeeded byMichael P. McAuliffe
Personal details
Born(1924-04-12)April 12, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 31, 2020(2020-12-31) (aged 96)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCordelia
ChildrenTwo
Residence(s)Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materNorthern Illinois University
ProfessionTeacher
Politician

Ralph C. Capparelli (April 12, 1924 – December 31, 2020) was an American politician and member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Capparelli was born in Chicago in April 1924. He attended Prussing Grammar School and Taft High School. He also served in the United States Navy for three years, earning a Battle Star. He attended Northern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in education. He taught classes for the Chicago Park District before taking on management positions with the district. He served as an assistant to Harry H. Semrow, a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. He married and had two children. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives as one of three legislators from the 16th district.[1]

In the 2001 decennial redistricting process, Capparelli was drawn into the same district as incumbent Republican legislator Michael McAuliffe and incumbent Democratic legislator Robert Bugielski. Capparelli opted to run in the 15th district, which contained much of his old territory, while McAuliffe defeated Buielski in the new 20th district. Capparelli declined to move into the new 15th district and opted to face McAuliffe in the 2004 election.[2] McAuliffe defeated Capparelli handily in the election.[3] After the election, Ralph Capparelli resigned effective November 4, 2004 and was succeeded in the 15th district by John C. D'Amico, the winner of the 2004 election in the 15th district.[3][4]

He served as Democratic committeeman for the 41st ward from 1992, when he defeated Roman Pucinski in the Democratic primary, until 2008, when he lost his position to Mary O'Connor.[5][6] He died on December 31, 2020, at the age of 96.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Illinois Blue Book, 1971-1972. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. 1972. p. 207.
  2. ↑ Wheeler III, Charles (July 1, 2004). "Ends and Means: Incumbent Illinois lawmakers are hardly an endangered species". NPR Illinois. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Dems keep control in Springfield". Chicago Tribune. November 3, 2004.
  4. ↑ Mahoney, Mark (Chief Clerk of the House), ed. (January 10, 2005). "Resignations and Appointments" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois House of Representatives. Illinois House of Representatives. 93 (218): 6–10. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  5. ↑ Kass, John (March 20, 1992). "Mell Shows Who's Boss In Election". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Chicago Ward Committeeman". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. February 7, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  7. ↑ Sullender, Andrew (January 15, 2021). "Ralph Capparelli, longtime 'friendly' Northwest Side state legislator, dead at 96". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 19, 2021.


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