HR0937 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0937 LRB101 23086 LAW 74217 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Bonnie Jean Hester of Peoria, who passed away on November 10, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Hester was born in Truman, Arkansas to Vastula and Henry T. Slaughter on June 7, 1944; she married Jerry Hester on July 27, 1968, and he preceded her in death in 2012; she earned a Certificate in Labor History from the University of Illinois and a Clerical Certificate from the Vocational School of Southern Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Bonnie Hester worked in the public sector for 35 years; she worked for the Peoria City and County Health Department for 25 years; most recently, she served as the program assistant for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; during her career, she served on the Health Care Committee for Peoria County Employees and as president of AFSCME local #3665 for 14 years; and

WHEREAS, Bonnie Hester was committed to her faith and showed her passion through service; she was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for nearly 30 years; she served on the school board of Peoria Christ Lutheran School, where she also assisted in the lunchroom during the school day and was a constant presence when her children and grandchildren attended the school; and

WHEREAS, Bonnie Hester was passionate about standing up for her beliefs and for those without a voice; her activism began when she was a young woman in Carbondale, where she was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during the Civil Rights Movement; she continued her activism in Peoria; upon her retirement, she was elected to represent District 1 on the Peoria County Board from December 2006 to November 2011; she volunteered for the American Red Cross Disaster Services, the Heart of Illinois United Way, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation; she was a past board member and active member of the Southside Community United for Change; she also served as a member of the executive board for the West Central Illinois Labor Council and the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Bonnie Hester was known for her smile, her encouraging words, her friendliness, and her infectious personality; she will be remembered for being the embodiment of maternal pride; and

WHEREAS, Bonnie Hester was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, and her grandparents; and

WHEREAS, Bonnie Hester is survived by her son, Jerry (Simone) Hester II; her daughters, Lorry Saunders and Amie Hester; her grandchildren, Jervon, Ashton, Breonna, Jordyn, Imani, and Jerry III; her brothers, Wardell Slaughter, James Slaughter, and Charles Slaughter; her sisters, Jewel Thompson, Jeraldine Brown, Lauretha Slaughter, and Barbara Ann Tipton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Bonnie Jean Hester and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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