SR1080 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1080 LRB101 21101 MST 71552 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Elgie R. Sims Sr., who passed away on March 7, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Elgie Sims Sr. was born to Carvin and Lizzie (Harris) Sims on August 2, 1942; he attended Washington High School, where he was known as one of the fastest men in Arkansas and earned the nickname Smoke; and

WHEREAS, Elgie Sims Sr. moved his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and then Chicago; he graduated from Chicago Automatic Transmission School, Greer Technical School, Sun Electric Technical School, and the Chicago School of Business; during this time, he began working at Mel's Manufacturing, where he became a union steward; he left to work at the Schwinn Bicycle Company and subsequently opened his first business, the Sims/Jackson Transmission Shop, while attending night school; and

WHEREAS, After completing business school in 1971, Elgie Sims Sr. opened Pete and Sims Shell Station; soon after, he opened Sims Auto Parts in Chicago and New Way Cleaners in El Dorado, Arkansas; in 1978, he expanded his business interests in Chicago to include three warehouses and auto parts stores; one of his greatest business accomplishments came when he opened Sims Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge in Fordyce, Arkansas, making him the first African American in Arkansas to own a new car dealership; he also founded Sims Wrecker Service and Elgie's Used Cars; and

WHEREAS, Elgie Sims Sr. believed in giving back to his community and was honored when he was appointed to serve on the Arkansas Board of Towing and Recovery, where he served until 2016; he received numerous awards and recognitions, including one from the Nile and Marzell Smith Museum of African American History; and

WHEREAS, Elgie Sims Sr. was most proud of his greatest legacy, his family; he took pride in being the patriarch of his family, dispensing wisdom to his children, grandchildren, nephews, family, and friends; he was known for his many colorful sayings and the life lessons and challenges he gave himself and those around him; and

WHEREAS, Elgie Sims Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Calvin; and special family members, Lorene Pettye Sims and Will Ella Gaston; and

WHEREAS, Elgie Sims Sr. is survived by his wife, Penny; his sons, Pastor Paul (Carol) Sims, Illinois State Senator Elgie (Shivonne) Sims Jr., Terrence (Rashonda) Sims, Libue Steven Sims, Renelius (Shekasha) Sims, Sean Lea-Sims, and Josh Sims; his daughters, Teresa Sims, Evangelist Elgie Rena (Fletcher) Sims-Neely, Vicky (Mike) Brown, Krystal (Rodney) Norman, and Rashawnda (Albert) Hayes; his brother, Troy (Barbara) Sims; his sisters, Eva Lois (Roy) Eutsey and Barbara Johnson; 29 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, Robert, Marcus, Victor, and Marcus, and many friends; and special family members, Irma Sims and Barbara Howell; 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 Elgie R. Sims Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Elgie Sims Sr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.