SR1344 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, State Senator Donne E. Trotter has proudly represented the 17th Legislative Senate District including the communities of Chicago's South Side and Will and Kankakee counties in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter is a lifelong Illinois resident; he was born in Cairo and moved to Chicago at an early age, where he currently resides; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter has a long lineage in Chicago, dating back to 1900 when his great-grandfather, a Choctaw Indian by the name of Granville Trotter, came from Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter's parents, James and Carita Trotter, were activists, taking part in the Civil Rights movement and influencing him to be active in the community; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter began his work in public service as a student at Chicago State University; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter was part of the first graduating class at the Loyola University School of Law to earn a master's degree in Health Policy of Jurisprudence; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter's work in politics began with his friend and neighbor, Congressman Ralph Metcalfe's 1974 campaign; with his campaign skills and knowledge of the Chicago area, he became a legislative assistant for State Representative Lewis A.H. Caldwell; he helped register thousands of voters during Harold Washington's 1983 mayoral campaign; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter succeeded Carol Moseley-Braun in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1988, serving for four years; he was sworn in as a state senator in 1993 after a successful run for an open seat; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter has been an influential and positive presence in his diverse district, including parts of the City of Chicago, Will County, and Kankakee County; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter played a major role in health care for the people in the 17th district and throughout the State, having extensive experience as a hospital administrator at Cook County Hospital and the Cook County Department of Health; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter initially joined the Senate as a point person on health care and under the leadership of Senate President Emil Jones Jr.; he was encouraged to join the Appropriations Committee to better learn the budget process; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter has taken on leadership roles in the Senate, including Assistant Majority Leader, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, and chief budget negotiator for the Democrats; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter earned a seat at the negotiation table not just on health and budget issues, but on all policy issues; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter has earned the respect of other elected officials throughout the State of Illinois, fighting to enforce parity in education, health care, and working to create economic development in disadvantaged communities; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter spearheaded major health care and social service initiatives, including KidCare/FamilyCare and SeniorCare initiatives, which extended health benefits to over 270,000 low-income children, parents, and seniors previously without coverage; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter advocated for the School of Pharmacy at Chicago State University; during the most recent budget impasse, he fought to keep Chicago State University open along with other state universities; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter prioritized public safety, ushering in the first comprehensive law banning assault weapons; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter has helped save many newborn lives by sponsoring the Safe Haven Act, where babies can be surrendered to hospitals, firehouses, and other safe havens without fear of criminal charges; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter was the first chairman of the Illinois Legislative Joint Black Caucus; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter has held leadership positions on the national level with the National Conference of State Legislators, the Council of State Government, the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators, and National Black Caucus of State Legislators; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter highly valued mentoring the younger generation of professionals in both elected and non-elected positions; and

WHEREAS, Senator Trotter is a the loving father of three daughters, Gina, Tasha, and Toni; one son, Elijah; and six grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement, Senator Trotter will continue to use his voice as an advocate; he will also enjoy his retirement with his lovely wife, Rose, traveling the globe, walking the dogs, puffing on a stogie, and with endless hours of reading; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank State Senator Donne E. Trotter for his dedicated service to the people of Illinois and honor him with this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Senator Trotter with our best wishes for all his future endeavors.