HR0062LRB099 04341 GRL 26953 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert 
4"Bob" Gilliam of Elgin, who passed away on December 30, 2014; 
5and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam graduated from Elgin High School in 
71963; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam worked for the Elgin Area School 
9District U-46 for 34 years in a variety of capacities, 
10including teacher, dean of students, and assistant 
11superintendent; he retired in 2002; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam was the City of Elgin's first 
13African-American council member and the longest-serving member 
14in its history, serving for 40 years from 1973 to 2013; he is 
15believed to be the longest-serving City Councilman in Illinois 
16outside of Chicago; he also served as Commissioner of The 
17Housing Authority of Elgin for 25 years from 1988 to 2013; he 
18helped guide Elgin through the difficult decades of the 1970s 
19and 1980s and into a period of growth and revitalization; as 
20City Councilman, he showed political courage by supporting the 
21construction of the Riverside Water Treatment Plant, allowing 
22Elgin to become independent from relying on Chicago for its 
 
 
HR0062- 2 -LRB099 04341 GRL 26953 r

1water supply; the new treatment plant utilized the Fox River 
2for Elgin's water, allowing the city to attract new businesses 
3and development, while providing clean, reliable water to its 
4residents; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In September of 2014, Elgin renamed the municipal 
6building The Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex in his honor; and

  
 
7    WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam is survived by his wife of 28 
8years, Marianne; his 2 children, Soynia and Tony; his brother, 
9Joseph; his sister, Valerie; and his grandson; therefore, be it
  
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
11NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
12mourn the passing of Robert "Bob" Gilliam, and extend our 
13sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew 
14and loved him; and be it further
  
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to the family of Robert Gilliam as an expression of 
17our deepest sympathy.