HR0589 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0589 LRB100 14124 ALS 28880 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William H. "Hank" Taylor Jr., who passed away on August 14, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor was born in Chicago to William and Thelma (Watkins) Taylor on November 7, 1960; he graduated from Luella Elementary School and James H. Bowen High School; following high school, he attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he studied accounting; he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor worked at Corn Products Company as a railroad clerk and was promoted to conductor; he was also a union trustee and representative, first, for the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union (OCAW), Local 7-507, where his responsibilities included managing a one million dollar annual budget, and then, for the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE), Local 6-0507; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor joined the Seventh Ward Democratic Organization under former Alderman William M. Beavers; he also served as a member of the Seventh Ward Young Democratic Organization; his passion for mentoring youth included organizing trips to museums, back-to-school giveaways, Halloween parties, and Easter egg hunts; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor became chief of staff for Seventh Ward Alderwoman Darcel Beavers; he then joined the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, where he instituted operational reforms that averted the temporary misplacement of corpses and prevented the personal property loss of decedents; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor became the campaign manager for the Committee to Elect Greg Mitchell Alderman of the Seventh Ward; his strategic knowledge of the ward and his management of field operations helped his longtime friend win the general election; Hank became the Seventh Ward Superintendent for the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, where he was determined to make a difference in the appearance of the ward; he would often drive around to check recurring violations that plagued the community; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor joined the Evangelistic Crusaders Church of God in Christ, and was later ordained as a deacon; he then joined Prayer and Faith Outreach Ministries, where he continued as a deacon; he served as chief adjutant and also completed a Master of Arts degree in Theology; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor used volunteerism as a tool to strengthen his faith; he was the founder and co-chair of the Robert H. Lawrence Elementary School Parent Safety Patrol; he also served as the vice president of the Lawrence Local School Council; he was a candidate for the Illinois State Senate in the 17th Legislative District; he also found time to work part time on the weekends as a program interpreter at the Museum of Science and Industry, running the railroad car for the coal mine exhibit; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor also enjoyed life outside of work and volunteerism; he was known for his beautiful smile and wicked sense of humor; he loved social outings, sporting events, and shooting the breeze with friends, family, and colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor was preceded in death by his mother; his daughter, De'Anna; and his sisters, Dawn and Diane; and

WHEREAS, Hank Taylor is survived by his father; his daughters Tanya (Danny) Terrell-Hutchison, Cherece Taylor, and Jamillah Hodges; his sister, Daryl "Cookie" Taylor; his grandson, Zechariah Dotson; his granddaughters, Zeh'Caria Hutchinson, Jazymin Malone, Kaiden Hutchinson, and Za'Quelia Boone; his great-aunt, Gertrude Steinback; his great-uncle, Clyde Raby; his aunts, Garnett Collins, Doris (Odell) Hicks, Dorothy Jean Watkins, and Jacqueline Watkins; his uncles, Emmanuel Taylor, Simpson James (Carolyn) Taylor, and Alious (Roxanne) Watkins Jr; his nieces, Kinshasa Taylor, Janel Walls, and Destiny Taylor; his nephew, Kai Taylor; his great-niece, Kylah Taylor; his great-nephews, Marquis Harding, Jack King Christopher Davis, William Hoskins, and Logan Taylor; and many cousins, friends, church family, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William H. "Hank" Taylor Jr., 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 Hank Taylor as an expression of our deepest sympathy.