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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate Jessica Basham on her two
4decades of service to the people of Illinois, as a Research
5Analyst, Director of Research & Appropriations, and Chief of
6Staff to House Speakers Michael J. Madigan and Emanuel "Chris"
7Welch; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Jessica Basham's steady leadership, collegiality,
9and expertise have immeasurably enhanced the House Democratic
10Staff and allowed the House Democratic Caucus, the House of
11Representatives, and the State of Illinois to adapt to address
12many challenges; and
 
13    WHEREAS, While serving as the lead staffer responsible for
14working with the House Revenue & Finance Committee, Jessica
15Basham's expertise on state finance, taxation, gaming, and
16more proved invaluable to legislators and fellow staff; when
17federal funds became available to help Illinois weather the
18Great Recession, she took charge of navigating the many
19regulations and requirements accompanying that funding,
20developing an understanding that not only helped people
21throughout Illinois through a financially perilous time but
22also would again prove critical in responsibly managing
23federal American Rescue Plan Act funds during the COVID-19

 

 

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1pandemic; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Jessica Basham served as Director of the House
3Democratic Research & Appropriations Unit, where her
4leadership proved instrumental in navigating one of the most
5difficult times in Illinois' financial history; working with
6legislators from both sides of the aisle, she and her team
7helped craft the bipartisan budget and revenue package that
8ended a period of more than 700 days without a full state
9budget and began the process of restoring fiscal health to the
10State; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Even while facing unprecedented challenges,
12Jessica Basham took time to develop and mentor young
13professionals beginning their careers with the House
14Democratic staff; dozens of Research & Appropriations staffers
15learned from her how to succeed at their job, how to write the
16in-depth and understandable bill analyses House members use to
17summarize complex issues, and how to identify blind spots and
18navigate difficult situations; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Jessica Basham became Chief of Staff to the House
20Speaker in June 2018, becoming the first woman in Illinois
21history to serve in such a role; she undertook a multifaceted
22effort to update and improve the operations of the House
23Democratic staff, creating the unit's first Human Resources

 

 

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1Department, expanding recruitment, training, and onboarding
2practices, and ensuring all staff feel respected and
3appreciated in the workplace; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Legislators on both sides of the aisle have come
5to appreciate Jessica Basham's integrity and accessibility as
6she has worked to improve communication, act on feedback, and
7help members achieve their goals; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Jessica Basham's experience and leadership have
9facilitated the historic transition to the first new House
10Speaker in a generation; as Chief of Staff to Speaker Emanuel
11"Chris" Welch, she continued to improve and modernize the
12operation of the House Democratic Caucus and staff while
13maintaining the key elements of its success; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Jessica Basham concluded her service as Chief of
15Staff in June 2021 with a stronger and more diverse House
16Democratic Staff and a state budget that has restored
17Illinois' fiscal health and led to the first credit upgrades
18in a generation; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The members of the House Democratic Staff for
20whom Jessica Basham has been a friend and mentor and the
21lawmakers for whom she has been a resource and advocate are all
22grateful for her dedication, her poise, and her commitment to

 

 

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1others; and
 
2    WHEREAS, In addition to a career dedicated to service,
3Jessica Basham is a caring daughter, sister, and stepmother
4and a proud new grandparent along with her partner John
5Lowder; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Those who have worked alongside Jessica Basham
7have also seen her many passions, including hiking, art,
8visiting the National Parks, an abiding love for her two cats,
9Lewis and Clark, and the music of Metallica; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Jessica Basham's hard work and tireless
11commitment to those around her helped to make the work of this
12chamber possible, and her lasting contributions will continue
13to be appreciated by those with whom she has worked;
14therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we commend Jessica Basham for her service to the House of
18Representatives and the State of Illinois as a Research
19Analyst, Director of Research & Appropriations, and Chief of
20Staff and wish her the best in all future endeavors; and be it
21further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to Jessica Basham as a symbol of our esteem and
3respect.