HR1325 LRB094 20568 HSS 58880 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois learned with deep sorrow and regret of the
4 death of their friend and colleague, Representative Lovana
5 Jones of Chicago, on Monday, May 8, 2006; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Lovana "Lou" Jones was born on March 28, 1938, in
7 Mansfield, Ohio; she moved with her family to Chicago in 1959,
8 settling in the Douglas/Grand Boulevard neighborhood; she held
9 a B.A. in business administration from Ohio State University;
10 and
 
11     WHEREAS, Representative Jones first began serving in 1987
12 and spent nearly 20 years as a member of the House of
13 Representatives, where she championed the causes of abused
14 children, minorities, and ex-convicts and served most recently
15 as the chair of the Committee on Public Safety; she was an
16 assistant majority leader for six of her ten terms; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Representative Jones also spearheaded legislation
18 that focused on the rights of grandparents raising their
19 grandchildren; she was vocal in her concern for child welfare
20 and was an advocate for women; and
 
21     WHEREAS, In 2004, Representative Jones helped give
22 non-violent offenders a second chance at a better future by
23 sponsoring legislation that allowed eligible juveniles to
24 receive information on the steps they must take in order to
25 have their records expunged; she worked to reform prisons and
26 criminal sentencing laws and to bring more financial options to
27 inner city residents; and she fought for greater protections
28 for consumers; and
 
29     WHEREAS, She was a supervisor in Chicago's anti-gang
30 program under Mayor Harold Washington's leadership; and
 

 

 

HR1325 - 2 - LRB094 20568 HSS 58880 r

1     WHEREAS, Representative Jones was active in several
2 community and civic organizations, including the Task Force for
3 Black Political Empowerment, Operation PUSH (of which she was
4 an original member), the NAACP, the Chicago Urban League, the
5 Independent Voters of Illinois, the Cook County Democratic
6 Women, the St. Ambrose Catholic School Board, and NARAL; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Lou loved her family; following the death of her
8 daughter, Leslie, she took in and raised her seven
9 grandchildren; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The passing of Representative Lovana "Lou" Jones
11 has been deeply felt by all who knew and loved her, and her
12 presence will be deeply missed at the State House; she is
13 remembered as likable, determined, diplomatic, and unmoving
14 when it came to the needs of her District; she was a true
15 friend in the Capitol; and she wil be most deeply missed by her
16 son, Timothy Walker, and her many grandchildren; therefore, be
17 it
 
18     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
19 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20 we mourn the passing of our dear friend, Representative Lovana
21 "Lou" Jones, and we extend our sincere condolences to her
22 family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
23 further
 
24     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
25 presented to her family as an expression of our deepest
26 sympathy.