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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois
3 learned with deep sorrow and regret of the death of their
4 friend and colleague, Representative Lovana Jones of Chicago,
5 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 as 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 also worked to bring more
26 financial options to inner city residents and fought for
27 greater protections for consumers; and
 
28     WHEREAS, Representative Jones was active in several
29 community and civic organizations, including the Task Force for
30 Black Political Empowerment, Operation PUSH (of which she was

 

 

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1 an original member), the NAACP, the Chicago Urban League, the
2 Independent Voters of Illinois, the Cook County Democratic
3 Women, the St. Ambrose Catholic School Board, and NARAL; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The passing of Representative Lovana "Lou" Jones
5 has been deeply felt by all who knew and loved her, and her
6 presence will be deeply missed at the State House; she is
7 remembered as likable, determined, diplomatic, and unmoving
8 when it came to the needs of her District; she was a true
9 friend in the Capitol; therefore, be it
 
10     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
11 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
12 Representative Lovana "Lou" Jones, and we extend our sincere
13 condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
14 her; and be it further
 
15     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16 presented to her family as an expression of our deepest
17 sympathy.