SR0031 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0031 LRB100 06794 MST 16842 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Cassandra Lillard "Nini" Reed of Danville, who passed away on December 2, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed was born in Danville to Mandy Othella (Turner) and Theotto Lillard Jr. on December 20, 1949; she married Jerry Lee Reed Sr. on December 19, 1970; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed's educational achievements include: graduate of Danville High School in 1968; Associate Degree in Science from Danville Area Community College in 1970; Bachelor of Science in Recreation from Eastern Illinois University in 1972; Elementary K-9 Teaching Certificate from Eastern Illinois University - Endorsements: Upper Elementary/Jr. High and Physical Education/Social Science in 1974; master's degree in Instructional Media from Eastern Illinois University in 1976; and General Administrative K-12 Certification in 1980; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed taught children at different levels and different schools for over 35 years; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed's involvement with Danville School District 118 includes: screening committee for the 1990 selection of Danville High School principal; Unit Leader; Ownership in Education Committee; pilot Kindergarten reading book series; District #118 Strategic Planning Committee; Co-Chair of the District #118 Communication Strategic Planning Committee; committee for the new Daniel Elementary School; and Elementary Academic Team Leader; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed's involvement with the Danville (DEA)/Illinois (IEA)/National (NEA) Education Association includes: DEA President from 1986 to 1991; DEA Grievance Committee for elementary and middle school; DEA Bargaining Team Member and Chief Spokesperson; participating in traditional and collaborative forms of bargaining; and DEA Mentoring Committee member; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed's accomplishments with the IEA/NEA Black Caucus include: member of IEA/NEA Black Caucus; member of IEA Minority Caucus; delegate to IEA and NEA Representative Assembly; IEA Intern for UniServ Director; IEA-NEA RA Planning Committee member from 1999 to 2000; IEA-NEA RA Collective Bargaining Committee member; Region 8 Secretary; Region 8 Vice-Chairperson; Region 8 Chairperson; member and Chair of the Large Local Task Force; Congressional Contact Person; member of the Constitution and By-laws Committee; member and Chair of the Waiver Task Force; the Board of Directors/IEA Computer Committee; member of the Collective Bargaining Committee; NEA Member; NEA member of the Employee Advocacy Committee; and NEA Moderator for the Retirement and Benefit Forum; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed's additional accomplishments include: Second Baptist Church member/Sunday School Teacher; Phi Delta Kappa, Delta Kappa Gamma; Workforce Challenge 2000/Education to Careers; East Central Illinois Partnership for Excellence in Education; Treasurer for East Central Illinois Partnership for Excellence in Education; Leadership Danville First Class/Leadership Danville Alumni; Leadership Danville Steering Committee; Danville Area Community College Minority Advisory Council; Greater Danville City Plan Commission; Volunteer Trainer for Danville Peer Court; Volunteer for United Way Fund and Muscular Dystrophy/Unicef; Veterans Administration Volunteer; East Central Illinois Education to Careers Partnership; past member of the YWCA Board of Directors; Legislative District #53 School Funding Task Force; and Halo Study Circle participant on Race Relations 2000; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed could play basketball, pitch horse shoes, swim, cut grass, trim hedges, paint, crochet, knit, fix houses, refurnish furniture, and rap, recording a 1968 rap song; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, "Baby Boy" Lillard, and Randy Lillard; her paternal grandparents, Theotto and Geraldine (Martin) Lillard; and her maternal grandparents, Collis and Mary B. (Hillsman) Turner; and

WHEREAS, Cassandra Reed is survived by her husband of over 45 years, Jerry Reed Sr.; her sons, Jerry Jr. (Yolanda) and Terian (Ashley); nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; her special daughter, Brenda DuHart; her sisters, Twania Lillard, Jill (Pastor John N.) Staples, and Portia Lillard (Eugene Webb); her brothers, Theotto Lillard III, Graylen Lillard, Craig (Elaine) Lillard, and Danny Lillard; her stepmother, Olivia Lillard; her stepbrothers; her stepsisters; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Cassandra Lillard "Nini" Reed, 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 Cassandra Reed as an expression of our deepest sympathy.