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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Vondrasek on April 19, 2019
4at the age of 81; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was born on October 13, 1937 to
6Mildred and Emil Vondrasek; he was a fervent community
7organizer in the South Austin neighborhood for four decades,
8where he fought banks and utility companies, city hall and
9Springfield, and poverty and injustice; he made a lot of
10friends, from poor single moms living in unheated apartments to
11powerful politicians who respected his ability to challenge
12establishment; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was not afraid of color barriers
14when it came to social justice; known for integrating himself
15into the Austin community, he would knock on doors, asking
16people what they needed and getting their gas and lights turned
17on; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was best known for helping create
19state and national programs that provide financial assistance
20to families whose heat had been cut off; he made programs part
21of the national scene and was a constant in Washington, D.C.,
22advocating for community reinvestment; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, As executive director, Bob Vondrasek led the South
2Austin Coalition Community Council (SACCC) group to their
3signature accomplishment, the Low Income Home Energy
4Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families
5pay for their energy bills, various energy-related home
6repairs, and the weatherization of their homes; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Through Bob Vondrasek's leadership, SACCC became
8known as the top grassroots community organization in the
9Chicago area; he was a great strategist and helped lead
10community reinvestment, organized senior citizens, and through
11the SACCC, kept the Austin Bank on its best behavior; he united
12block clubs and motivated people to join local school councils
13and churches to open their doors for community meetings; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek retired from his leadership
15position with the SACCC due to illness, and during an
16appreciation ceremony at the Austin Satellite Senior Center,
17community leaders from all over the West Side praised his
18community involvement; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was known for being the most
20well-trained, creative, dedicated, and consistent organizer;
21he was so dedicated to the cause that he once walked in
2295-degree heat from a satellite center to go to a community

 

 

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1meeting on the West Side; in a tribute delivered in the U.S.
2House of Representatives in 2018, Congressman Danny Davis
3described Robert as "the most dedicated, committed and most
4loyal Saul Alinsky-trained organizer that I have ever known";
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek loved a good protest; if the cause
7was just, he would be there at the drop of a hat to lend his
8voice, and he might bring a busload of his friends; he lifted
9spirits and taught people how to love, how to live, and how to
10work together; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was married to Alice (Kerley) for
12almost 60 years; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was preceded in death by his sister,
14Marianne Cosgrove, and his son, John Vondrasek; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek is survived by his wife, Alice; his
16children, Elizabeth, Thomas, and James (Laura); his
17grandchildren, Alyssa, Brian, Evan, John, Desi, and Mia; his
18great-grandchildren, Ethan and Emily; and his nieces and
19nephews, Jack, Julie, Rocky, Mike, and Jana; therefore, be it
 
20    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
21ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

 

 

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1Robert "Bob" Vondrasek and extend our sincere condolences to
2his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
3further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to the family of Bob Vondrasek as an expression of
6our deepest sympathy.