Thomas W. Ortciger, 82, of Springfield, Ill. passed away after a long and courageous battle with congestive heart failure, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Tom was born on Feb. 14, 1941 in Chicago the son of Edward and Mildred (Jirkovsky) Ortciger and both preceded him in death. Tom married his loving wife of 30 years, his rock, best-friend, and bipartisan partner Nancy (Cruthis) Ortciger, who survives him.

He graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in Cicero, Ill., attended Northwestern University and graduated in 1964 from Shimer College. Tom had a long and distinguished career in public...