Richard Thomas Mulcahey (March 22, 1935 – September 24, 2026) was an American politician and educator who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1975 until 1993.
Life and career Richard Thomas Mulcahey was born in Rockford, Illinois, on March 22, 1935. He earned a bachelor of science degree with a history major from Wisconsin State University and later did graduate work at the University of Illinois. Mulcahey served in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956 with the 1st Marine Division. He then became a teacher and taught at schools in Galena and Durand.
In 1974, Mulcahey was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives along with Democratic incumbent Robert E. Brinkmeier and Republican Harlan Rigney. In 1982, after the passage of the Cutback Amendment, which eliminated multi-member House districts, Mulcahey was elected to represent the 69th district, which included all of Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties along with western Winnebago County.Illinois Blue Book 1983-1984, page 55 During the 1980s, Mulcahey chaired the Education Committee.
In 1992, the Republican controlled redistricting committee renumbered the district the 74th and drew it to include all of Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties along with portions of Carroll, Ogle, and Whiteside counties. Mulcahey initially planned to retire and lost re-election to Ron Lawfer, a Republican member of the Jo Daviess County Board, after changing those plans and running for reelection.
Mulchaney died on September 24, 2026, at the age of 91.Former Illinois State Rep. Richard ‘Dick’ Mulcahey dies at 91 Rockford News First
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