HR0842 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0842 LRB102 27367 ECR 39156 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Billie Jean Paige of Chicago, who passed away on April 10, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige was born to Enos and Ora Bond in Chicago on June 26, 1937; she received her formal education at an all-girls boarding school in Wisconsin, where she was an exceptional student, a stand-out basketball player, and a participant in musicals and stage plays; after high school, she attended Loyola University, the University of Chicago, and Roosevelt University; she graduated college at age 19, having developed an interest in politics and government; in addition to excelling as a student, she was professionally trained as a vocalist and pianist; she married George Howard Paige on February 16, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige first worked as a secretary at the University of Chicago's graduate school; she then worked for Head Start and joined the Kuumba Workshop in the 1970s; in 1973, she was recruited into Illinois state government and worked as a Coordinator of Paraprofessional Training; in 1975, she became the Commissioner of the Illinois Department of Labor's Bureau of Employment Security's Division of Unemployment Insurance; she was the first African American woman to head an unemployment program in the United States; in late 1975, she became the Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Registration and Education and was the second-ranking statutory official for the department; in 1980, she earned the position of Director of Government Affairs for the Illinois Hospital Association; in 1983, she became a legislative consultant with Shea, Rogal and Associates and made history as the first full-time African American female lobbyist in Illinois; in 1992, she was named President of Shea, Paige, and Rogal, Incorporated and became a partner in the firm; in 1984, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Testing Services, Incorporated; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige became a member of Saint Ailbe Catholic Church (Saint Katharine Drexel Parish) in Chicago in the 1960s; she served as the vocalist and pianist at the parish's Saturday evening mass; she was ultimately named the Assistant to the Director of Music and sang in the choir at all three of the weekend masses in addition to the holiday masses; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige was a founding member of the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership (IWIL) Training Academy; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige was a lifelong lover of owls and collected many pieces of jewelry, paintings, and figurines bearing owl images; she enjoyed music and collected music boxes and visual art pieces depicting musical notes; she was also an ardent fan of the Star Wars movies and was known for her delicious greens and chili recipe and for her annual pool party; included in her collectibles were items that featured images of West Highland White Terriers, of which she had six during her lifetime; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige was preceded in death by her son, Stephen; and

WHEREAS, Billie Paige is survived by her loving husband, George; her son, Gary (Apryl); her daughter-in-law, Jacinta; her granddaughter, Daria; and a host of beloved relatives and cherished friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Billie Jean Paige 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 Billie Paige as an expression of our deepest sympathy.