HR1325 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1325 LRB094 20568 HSS 58880 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with deep sorrow and regret of the death of their friend and colleague, Representative Lovana Jones of Chicago, on Monday, May 8, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Lovana "Lou" Jones was born on March 28, 1938, in Mansfield, Ohio; she moved with her family to Chicago in 1959, settling in the Douglas/Grand Boulevard neighborhood; she held a B.A. in business administration from Ohio State University; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jones first began serving in 1987 and spent nearly 20 years as a member of the House of Representatives, where she championed the causes of abused children, minorities, and ex-convicts and served most recently as the chair of the Committee on Public Safety; she was an assistant majority leader for six of her ten terms; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jones also spearheaded legislation that focused on the rights of grandparents raising their grandchildren; she was vocal in her concern for child welfare and was an advocate for women; and

WHEREAS, In 2004, Representative Jones helped give non-violent offenders a second chance at a better future by sponsoring legislation that allowed eligible juveniles to receive information on the steps they must take in order to have their records expunged; she worked to reform prisons and criminal sentencing laws and to bring more financial options to inner city residents; and she fought for greater protections for consumers; and

WHEREAS, She was a supervisor in Chicago's anti-gang program under Mayor Harold Washington's leadership; and

WHEREAS, Representative Jones was active in several community and civic organizations, including the Task Force for Black Political Empowerment, Operation PUSH (of which she was an original member), the NAACP, the Chicago Urban League, the Independent Voters of Illinois, the Cook County Democratic Women, the St. Ambrose Catholic School Board, and NARAL; and

WHEREAS, Lou loved her family; following the death of her daughter, Leslie, she took in and raised her seven grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Representative Lovana "Lou" Jones has been deeply felt by all who knew and loved her, and her presence will be deeply missed at the State House; she is remembered as likable, determined, diplomatic, and unmoving when it came to the needs of her District; she was a true friend in the Capitol; and she wil be most deeply missed by her son, Timothy Walker, and her many grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of our dear friend, Representative Lovana "Lou" Jones, and we 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 her family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.