HR0242 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0242 LRB103 32122 MST 61150 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated is an international, non-for-profit corporation, established in 1946; The Links Foundation, Incorporated, the philanthropic arm of The Links, Incorporated, has made more than $24 million dollars in charitable contributions since its founding; and

WHEREAS, The membership of Links, Incorporated consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent in 299 chapters across the globe; it is one of the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry; the Central Area of The Links, Incorporated was established in 1950 and has expanded to 72 chapters in 15 states; the Illinois chapters are Central Illinois (IL) Chapter, Chicago (IL) Chapter, Gateway (IL) Chapter, Harbor Lites (IL) Chapter, Hoffman Estates (IL) Chapter, Lake Shore (IL) Chapter, North Shore (IL) Chapter, Quad Cities (IL) Chapter, South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter, Tri-County (IL) Chapter, Windy City (IL) Chapter, and West Towns (IL) Chapter; and

WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated is transforming communities through its voice, its vote, and its power; with over two million service hours recorded in the past three years, members regularly contribute more than 1,000,000 documented service hours in their respective communities annually; and

WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated's legislative and public affairs priorities are considered through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and

WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated is uniquely positioned to leverage the collective strength, resources, and energy of its members to ensure that public policy being considered is reflective of its membership and the global community it serves; and

WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated will continue to monitor and advocate on numerous public policy issues that include its identified four priorities for the biennium, health, economic sustainability, civil and voting rights, and criminal justice and public safety; and

WHEREAS, The Central Area of The Links, Incorporated chapters in the State of Illinois continues to advocate for the above mentioned public policy issues; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Representative Rita Mayfield are among the engaged members; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois chapters of The Links, Incorporated will be holding the first in-person Illinois Links Day at the State Capitol on May 3, 2023; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the work of Area Director Monica Boone Allen and the various chapters in the Central Area and salute them on Links Day at the Illinois State Capitol; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Central Area of the Links, Incorporated as a symbol of our respect and esteem.