SR1523 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1523 LRB101 23111 ECR 74244 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leslie Ann Jones, who passed away on April 13, 2020 at the age of 67; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones received her bachelor's degree from Yale University and graduated from Harvard Law School; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones was an accomplished lawyer and had an expansive legal career, specializing in zoning, federal litigation, real estate, and corporate transactions; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones met her husband Thomas E. Johnson while they were both providing free legal services to impoverished people in the Chicago area through the Legal Assistance Foundation; they were then partners at the law firm of Johnson, Jones, Snelling, Gilbert & Davis, which her husband founded in downtown Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones was a clinical professor of trial practice and ethics at the Northwestern School of Law; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones devoted her free time to the Oak Park community, advocating for public art that would be accessible to all residents; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones was active as both a board member and as president of the Oak Park Arts Area Council; while on the Council, she championed the work of multicultural artists and led the community in drafting a new public arts ordinance that was passed by the Village of Oak Park; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones enjoyed many creative pursuits in her life, including screen printing, knitting, and weaving; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones was filled with vitality and generosity; she had a strong commitment to social justice and a drive to help disadvantaged people in all kinds of ways; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones was passionate about finding secure, loving homes for children in need; this drove her to join the board of the Hephzibah Children's Association as well as to welcome numerous foster children into her home; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones was a person filled with compassion and generosity; she was known for her wonderful sense of humor and for her love for her community; she will be remembered by friends and family for all the good she did; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Jones is survived by her sons, Ben Johnson, Charlie Johnson, and Jake Johnson; and her godson, Chris Hampton; 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 Leslie Ann Jones 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 Leslie Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.