SR0036 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0036 LRB101 07061 ALS 52098 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sonya Audrea Fields Ph.D. of Chicago, who passed away on January 9, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sonya Fields was born in Chicago to Clinton B. and Roberta Usher Fields on November 28, 1981; when she was ten years old, she committed to her faith and was baptized at Bellevue Baptist Church; she attended Morgan Park High School, where she ran track and played volleyball; like her brothers, she also trained in Kuk Sool martial arts; she earned her high school diploma at the age of 16; she received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Chicago State University in 2003; she then earned her Master of Science in Reading from Chicago State University in 2007; in 2010, she was awarded her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sonya Fields taught at several Chicago Public Schools; she most recently taught second grade at Arthur Dixon Elementary School; she was a tireless advocate for her students and created a nurturing classroom community with high expectations, where students considered each other family; she encouraged her students to persevere and assured them they could succeed, no matter the odds; her students especially appreciated her ability to illustrate how classroom skills are used by real people every day; she worked with other teachers to organize learning nights during the year to inform parents about the learning that was taking place inside the classroom; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Dr. Sonya Fields received the Golden Apple Award for her efforts to build a stronger, better-educated society; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sonya Fields was service minded and never hesitated to help others; she cherished close relationships with family members and longtime friends, and she valued her sisterhood with her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorors; she loved her daughter and guided her with wisdom and faith; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sonya Fields was preceded in death by her father; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sonya Fields is survived by her mother; her husband, Joran Banks; her daughter, Heather Taylor; her brothers, Clinton B. (Erica) Fields Jr. and Randall B. (Lenika) Fields; her nephews and nieces, Clinton III, Lauren, Olivia, Austin, and Bryce; her aunts and uncles; her many cousins; and her friends with whom she felt a spiritual kinship and considered family of the heart; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Sonya Audrea Fields Ph.D. and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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