SR0151 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0151 LRB103 31616 ECR 59976 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ruben Olivares of Chicago, who passed away on January 23, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares was born on January 24, 1986; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares was a skilled community organizer who worked at the Northwest Center, the Belmont Cragin-based community organization; he started as a volunteer, distributing masks and sanitizer to residents in early 2020; he was then hired as a contract worker to assist the City of Chicago's vaccine distribution program, Protect Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares later became the program manager of Health Equity for the Northwest Center, where he was part of a team responsible for implementing community outreach around COVID-19 vaccinations, food access, and public safety; he was a natural fit for the job due to his continued willingness to lend a hand to colleagues and residents in need and to mentor younger staffers; through his diligent efforts, he boosted attendance at one vaccination clinic by more than 200 people; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares further organized Belmont Cragin residents around public safety, advocating for those who were worried about crime; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares also helped run La Canasta Bakery, one of his mother's bakeries, where he worked for years before taking over the establishment; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares was known for his genuine, thoughtful, affable, and sincere nature, and he was deeply admired by his community; and

WHEREAS, Ruben Olivares will be remembered as a selfless and dedicated son, husband, and father; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ruben Olivares 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 Ruben Olivares as an expression of our deepest sympathy.