HR0367 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0367 LRB103 33303 LAW 63113 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Renault A. Robinson of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Roosevelt University; he pursued a doctorate at Northwestern University; he was a lifelong Chicagoan; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson served in the Chicago Police Department (CPD) from 1964 to 1983, during which he combated racism within the CPD; he also co-founded the Afro-American Patrolmen's League (AAPL), an organization committed to improving police service in Black communities and advocating for equal opportunities to leadership opportunities for Black police officers, which won the first civil rights lawsuit against the CPD for discrimination against Black, Hispanic, and women police officers; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson played a pivotal role as a prominent organizer in Harold Washington's 1977 and 1983 mayoral campaigns, with the latter leading to Washington's historic victory as the first Black mayor of Chicago; under Mayor Washington, he served as chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) from 1983 to 1987; during his tenure, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for residents of public housing and oversaw the reinvention of high-rise public housing projects, including the construction of new mixed-income housing developments; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson worked as vice president of ASI Personnel Service before founding his own company, Facilities and Ground Maintenance Services, in 2000; through these roles, he helped thousands of unemployed and underemployed Chicagoans find work; he retired in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson continued to be active in community affairs and was a member of the board of directors of several organizations, including the Chicago Urban League (CUL) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson amassed numerous awards, plaques, and commendations during his career, all of which recognized his remarkable achievements in advancing civil rights; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson was a dedicated public servant who fought for the rights of all Chicagoans, and he will be remembered as a tireless advocate for social justice and a champion of the city's underprivileged and marginalized residents; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mable Robinson, and his brother, Robert Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Renault Robinson is survived by his wife, Annette, four sons, ten grandchildren, and six siblings; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Renault A. Robinson and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Renault Robinson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.