Former Congressman Tim Johnson passed away

URBANA, Ill. (WCCU) — The family of former U.S. Representative Tim Johnson said he passed away on Monday night at the age of 75.

Johnson had served for 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives after spending 30 years in the Illinois House and as a member of the Urbana City Council.

The longtime republican was an Urbana native who began his career in politics back in 1971 and finished in the house in 2012.

Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen said Johnson was someone she had looked up to growing up and was a man of the people.

"Those everyday issues of kind of being that link of citizens to their government, I think he did well and I think he just knew everyone," said Feinen.

Johnson had most recently served on the Board of Trustees of Parkland College.