SR0479 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0479 LRB100 12601 MST 25816 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Audrey Helen Nixon of North Chicago, who passed away on April 27, 2017 at the age of 81; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Nixon began her service in 1982 serving in District 14 and was the longest-serving Lake County Board member; she was a resident of North Chicago and also represented portions of Park City, Waukegan, and Gurnee; she was the longtime Chair of the Law and Judicial Committee, making her one of the few Democrats to retain a leadership post for any significant duration; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Nixon was known as a passionate representative for her district, which included some of Lake County's poorest neighborhoods; she fought to keep county buildings and offices in Waukegan and was a champion of the Greenbelt Cultural Center, a facility near North Chicago that was created and operated by the Lake County Forest Preserve District; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Nixon cared deeply about people and made it her life's purpose to help them; she was a tireless advocate for programs that promote and advance diversity and inclusion and focused on initiatives that could transform young lives for the better; she was very passionate about Youth Build, which provides at-risk young adults with the education and training necessary to build the best future possible; she often spoke of the need for consensus on complicated or controversial issues, and for working together in pursuit of doing right by constituents; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Nixon served on numerous boards and commissions including the Enterprise Commission, the Minority Affairs Commission, the Private Industry Council, the National Association of Counties Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, the Illinois Association of Park Districts, the North Chicago Leadership Council, the District 187 Steering Committee, the NAACP Emblem Chapter 140, the BET Organization, the Shawall Court #4 Daughter of Isis, the League of Women Voters, and the Waukegan Township Coalition to Reduce Past and Present Recidivism; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Nixon was very committed to her church and community and was a member of Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church in North Chicago; she will be remembered for her quiet strength, wisdom, fearless persistence, and sense of optimism that made her an exceptional leader; and

WHEREAS, Audrey Nixon is survived by her children, Rodney, Tonya, and Anthony; and 20 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Audrey Helen Nixon, 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 Audrey Nixon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.