SR1207 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1207 LRB100 16584 MST 31718 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Claudell Ervin, who passed away on December 19, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin was born in Jackson, Mississippi to Claude and Geneva Ervin on August 8, 1943; he was baptized at an early age and attended Mandell United Methodist Church; he attended Roswell B. Mason Elementary School and David G. Farragut High School, where he excelled as a running back on the football team; he received a football scholarship to Central College in Pella, Iowa and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Chicago State University; in November of 1970, he married the love of his life, Thelma Johnson; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin began his career with the Chicago Police Department in 1968; he served 13 years as a patrolman which included the 15th, 21st, and 22nd Districts; in April 1981, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the 15th District, and later, to the 11th District, where he was Neighborhood Relations Sergeant; he attended the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety Police Management Training Program and was assigned to the Commander's Office of the Police Training Division; in 1991, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and assigned as the Commanding Officer of the Police Training Academy's Operations Section; in May of 1996, he was promoted to commander of the Area 1 Detective Division; later that year he returned to his roots as commander of the 11th District; he retired in 2000 after 32 years of service; in 2008, he returned to law enforcement as chief of police for the Village of Hazel Crest; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin mentored young men from the Westside of Chicago through his support of various athletic programs that produced talents such as Isiah Thomas, Glen "Doc" Rivers, and Mark Aguirre; through his leadership, various youth entered into the field of law enforcement and had successful careers; he was responsible for the success of such programs as the 11th District Prayer Vigil, Mayor Daley's Super Block, the Ministers Alliance, the Men's Club, youth athletic programs, the Explorer Scouts Program, the Explorer Gospel Fest, the Junior Police, Toys-for-Tots, and his personal favorite, the box car derby; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin served as head of security for the 1988 NBA All-Star Weekend, held for the first time in Chicago; he then became NBA Security Director for the Chicago Bulls, where he served through 2004; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin was licensed to preach and attended the Northern Baptist Seminary; he served as a chaplain at Advocate Bethany Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin was a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and served as chairman of the board for the Bobby E. Wright Community Mental Health Center; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin was a member of New Morning Star M.B. Church, where he was actively involved in Christian education and served as chairman of the board of deacons; in 2003, he joined the Third Baptist Church in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Ervin; and

WHEREAS, Claudell Ervin is survived by his wife of 47 years, Thelma; his children, Michele (Lee) Bussie and Jason (State Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin) Ervin; his brothers, Jerry (Flora) Ervin and Michael (Sheila) Ervin; his sisters-in-law, Evelyn Brady, Ruthie (Charles) Johnson, and Katherine (Michael) Smith; his brothers-in-law, Roger (Dorothy) Johnson, Robert Johnson, and Reginald (Sharon) Johnson; his grandchildren, Lee Hollis Bussie, Blake Douglas Bussie, and Pa Pa's "sweet little angel", Jeneva Claudette Ervin; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends; a very special brother-in-law, Charles Johnson; and a devoted care giver, Ronald Neely; therefore, be it

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