SR2291 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2291 LRB100 24430 ALS 43766 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lionel J. Gindorf, who passed away on December 5, 2018 at the age of 94; and

WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was born on August 23, 1924 and grew up on the Near West Side and near Midway Airport during the Great Depression; at six foot three, he was known to most as "Tiny" and lived an extraordinary life; and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Lionel Gindorf serviced B-16 bombers on the island of Guam in the Pacific; after the war, he returned to Chicago and began his career as a building engineer downtown; he joined Local 399 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf quickly rose through the ranks at Local 399 and earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator and "someone to go to for advice you could count on or if you wanted to get a foot in the door"; In 1956, he became a member of the local's executive board and business agent; he was named financial secretary and assistant to the business manager in 1977; in 1980, he was elected business manager; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure at Local 399, Lionel Gindorf oversaw dramatic changes in the craft of operating engineer; in 1960, drastic revisions were made to the local's training program to accommodate advancements in technology; thus, computer training was initiated and later tied in with a two-year program, which was developed by the IUOE and a Chicago community college and open to all incoming union members; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, Lionel Gindorf retired from Local 399, and in his speech, he expressed that for 48 years he "lived and breathed" the union; according to his daughter, "There are no words to capture his real accomplishment and the extent of his influence, which created livelihoods and guaranteed success for generations of families"; she further noted that "he gave a million favors and never asked for one in return, as he considered it his job to take care of people"; and

WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Anne Gindorf; and

WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf is survived by his children, Merry (the late Phil) Nicholson and Jeffrey (Andrea) Gindorf; his grandchildren, Christine Nicholson, John Nicholson, Joie Gindorf, and Jamie Gindorf; his many nieces and nephews; and the numerous people he mentored; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lionel J. Gindorf and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lionel Gindorf as an expression of our deepest sympathy.