HR0836LRB101 21087 LAW 71489 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Marc
4Zohntell Loveless of Chicago, who passed away on March 9, 2020;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless was born in Detroit, Michigan to
7Benny Dunn Loveless and Margret Loveless on March 23, 1961; he
8graduated from Redford High School in Detroit in 1978; he
9earned his bachelor's degree in political science and
10broadcasting from Wayne State University; he attended
11Wilberforce University, where he worked with a Roman Catholic
12campus ministry, hosted a radio show, and honed his leadership
13skills in student political organizations; he attended
14Roosevelt University in pursuit of a graduate degree; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless was a public servant, civil rights
16activist, and an HIV/AIDS advocate; in 1984, he created
17Loveless Consulting, a social marketing firm specializing in
18public policy, civil rights, and social justice; beginning in
191996, he worked as a freelance paralegal; he was the founding
20executive director of the Coalition for Justice and Respect
21(CJR), a Chicago-based, African American, same-gender loving
22agency involved in social justice, civil rights advocacy, and
23addressing health disparities; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless was the first openly gay elected
2official in Chicago and the State of Illinois, serving on the
3local school councils of two schools in Chicago; he was elected
4to serve as Committeeman of the 32nd Ward in Chicago for the
5Harold Washington Party in 1996; he was elected Ward
6Committeeman of the 48th Ward of the Green Party in 2004; he
7ran for city clerk in Chicago in 2015, becoming the first
8African American gay man to run for a citywide office; he ran
9as a write-in candidate for the Illinois House of
10Representatives in 2020; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless was involved in a number of
12organizations and served on the board of the Chicago Social
13Enterprise Alliance, the Illinois Common Cause, and the
14Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network (NAN) Chicago;
15he also served on the Chicago Public Radio Community Advisory
16Council; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless received recognition for his
18service to his community, including the 2013 Human Rights Award
19from Creativity United, a 2012 Drum Major Award presented by
20President Barack Obama, a 2009 Trailblazer Award from Fathers
21Who Care, and the Hope and Spirit Award from the Chicago
22Department of Public Health; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless was known as a trailblazer, a
2tireless warrior, and a funny and loving friend; he was a
3Capuchin Franciscan Friar; he enjoyed independent films, fine
4dining, Chicago's eclectic arts and cultural attractions, and
5concerts; he will be remembered for his public service,
6activism, and support of the LGBT community; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Marc Loveless is survived by his son, Jonathan,
8and his family; therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
10HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we mourn the passing of Marc Zohntell Loveless and extend our
12sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
13and loved him; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
15presented to the family of Marc Loveless as an expression of
16our deepest sympathy.