Richard Luft

Richard Nelson Luft (March 14, 1938 – August 18, 2023) was an American politician.

Life and career

Born in Pekin, Illinois, Luft received his bachelor's degree in political science and his master's degree in public administration from Sangamon State University. From 1975 to 1979, Luft served in the Illinois House of Representatives and was a Democrat. He then served in the Illinois State Senate from 1983 until he resigned in 1993. During his legislative tenure, he served on the central committee for the Democratic Party of Illinois as one of two committee members from what was then Illinois's 18th congressional district with Shirley McCombs.[http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/bb/id/34827 Illinois blue book, 1991-1992], page 403 In May 1993, Luft was appointed commissioner of the Illinois Department of Banks and Trust.'Illinois Blue Book 1991-1992,' Biographical Sketch of Richard N. Luft, pg. 113'Sen. Luft Named Bank Commissioner,' Chicago Tribune, May 5, 1993 He was succeeded in the Illinois Senate by then-Peoria County Sheriff George Shadid.{{cite news | url = http://www.lib.niu.edu/1993/ii930635.html | title = New state senator: George Shadid replaces Luft in 46th District | date = June 1993 | work = Illinois Issues | page = 35 | volume = 19 | issue = 6 | publisher = Sangamon State University | location = Springfield, Illinois | accessdate = 2014-12-10 }}

Luft unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Illinois Comptroller in 1978, losing to Roland Burris.

Richard Luft died on August 18, 2023, at the age of 85.{{cite web|title=Richard Nelson Luft|date=August 23, 2023|url=https://www.sj-r.com/obituaries/pils0553608|access-date=August 24, 2023}}

Notes

Category:1938 births

Category:2023 deaths

Category:People from Pekin, Illinois

Category:University of Illinois at Springfield alumni

Category:Democratic Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives

Category:Democratic Party Illinois state senators

Category:20th-century members of the Illinois General Assembly