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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Brian Sleet of Chicago, who passed away
4on December 26, 2018 at the age of 41; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Brian Sleet was born and raised in Chicago's
6Chatham neighborhood and was committed to his community and to
7public service; he graduated from Whitney Young High School in
81996; he earned a degree in Sociology from Dartmouth College in
92000; in 2005, he earned his Juris Doctor from the University
10of Illinois; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Brian Sleet returned to Chatham after college and
12spent time teaching at a neighborhood elementary school; he
13began his political career at the U.S. Census Bureau and as a
14staffer for former Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.; he also
15practiced independently as an attorney, mainly on family law
16cases; in 2011, he ran for alderman in the 6th Ward; during
17that race, he developed a friendship with Alderman Roderick
18Sawyer, who started as his competitor but evolved into a close
19ally; he joined Sawyer's campaign during the runoff, and, after
20Sawyer won the post, he was appointed chief of staff; in 2015,
21he helped get Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx elected;
22recently, he worked as a senior adviser with the communications
23strategy firm, Kivvit, where he was a spokesman for the Obama

 

 

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1Foundation as it sought City Council approval for the planned
2presidential library in Jackson Park; earlier this year, he
3also started his own consulting agency and worked to help
4connect corporate clients with grass-roots leaders; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Brian Sleet's pride and joy was serving on the
6board of Chicago Votes; outside his City Hall work, he enjoyed
7long conversations over a glass of bourbon and a fine cigar;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, Brian Sleet was committed to improving the quality
10of life for people on the South Side and across the City of
11Chicago and to training young black organizers and political
12operatives; he was known as a forthright, well-connected
13strategist who would toil relentlessly to help candidates
14connect with marginalized communities in new and innovative
15ways; his keen political mind, speechwriting savvy, and mastery
16of social media meant anybody running for elected office wanted
17his advice; news of his death led to an outpouring of
18condolences from elected leaders, community activists, and
19neighbors, prompting the creation and prominence of the
20#SleetisChicago hashtag; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Brian Sleet is survived by his fiancee, Nathalie
22Essex; his parents; his brother; and his large extended family;
23therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Brian Sleet and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
4friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Brian Sleet as an expression of our
7deepest sympathy.