Kankakee Times

Former Illinois congressman Tim Johnson, who died at his home in Urbana on May 9, is being remembered by friends and colleagues as a dedicated public servant for more than 50 years.

Johnson's former Chief of Staff Mark Shelden announced Johnson's death in a Facebook post on May 10.

"Last night Tim Johnson passed away," Shelden wrote. "He was a great friend to me and the most important person behind my success in politics. He served our community, state and country for over 5 decades. We'll all miss him but so many of us have great memories as well."

The 75-year-old Johnson, a Republican, served as a representative in Congress for 12 years, from 2001 to 2013. Prior to serving in Congress, Johnson was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for 24 years, from 1977 to 2001. Johnson began his political career as an Urbana city alderman from 1971 to 1975, in the seat once held by his father Robert Johnson, according to Illinois Newsroom.

Illinois Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) described Johnson as "a good friend who will be missed by many" in a remembrance posted to Facebook May 11. He described himself as "ill-prepared" for their first meeting, which consisted of a long walk in summer heat, according to Barickman.

"I remember the day I met Congressman Tim Johnson, known by all his friends simply as Tim," Barickman wrote. "Our mutual friend, Fred Welch, encouraged me to get to know Tim who had asked me to join him on a walk at West Side Park in Champaign. It was a warm weekday afternoon, probably 90 degrees with ugly humidity. Since I was at work, I was dressed in khakis and dress shoes, and ill-prepared for what was to come. Probably two hours later I headed home for a shower and damage control on my feet. Our initial conversation was the beginning of a long and valued friendship."

Barickman wrote that he and Johnson walked and talked a lot after that, deliberating many issues "but mostly gaming out political scenarios related to current events." 

"To this day, I've never met someone who had such an incredible ability to analyze a political switch situation from every direction," Barickman wrote. "Tim taught me to think strategically about political decisions in a way that could never be taught in a classroom."

Johnson had a habit of calling Barickman with "crazy requests," regardless of the hour, according to Barickman, who wrote Johnson enjoyed gathering with friends and constituents at a local restaurant when he was in town, for a "long chat."

"People worry about elected officials becoming too enamored with public life and disconnecting from their district and constituents," Barickman wrote. "Such a notion was laughable with Tim, whose number one political priority was being accessible and serving his constituents."

Barickman recounted how Johnson's dedication to service extended to assisting Barickman's constituents.

"On countless occasions, Tim called me to say that he had recently spoken with one of my constituents who needed help with an issue,"  Barickman wrote. "Rather than telling the constituent to call my office, Tim called me to relay the name, address and telephone number of the person seeking assistance. Tim broke the rule that government is slow and non-responsive and voters, understandably, rewarded him time and time again. He literally set the standard for constituent service."

"Tim was a good friend who will be missed by many," Barickman said in the post. "My thoughts go out to his family and many friends throughout Illinois."