SR0461 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0461 LRB103 34228 LAW 64053 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ernestine Jackson, who passed away on September 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was born to Isaac Humes Sr. and Mary (Washington) Humes in Benoit, Mississippi on June 23, 1940; she married Donald R. Jackson Sr. at the former St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Peoria on January 21, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was a force for equal opportunity throughout Central Illinois for almost 50 years, beginning her career in equal opportunity and affirmative action at the University of Illinois in the late 1960s; while civil rights activists were in the streets of Peoria, pushing for equal opportunity in jobs, housing, and education, she often found herself inside city hall, pushing to end discriminatory practices; she was the first director of fair employment and housing for the City of Peoria, assistant to the city manager for Champaign, director of diversity for CILCO, a personnel officer for the University of Illinois, and human relations director for Bloomington; she last served as the EEOC director for the City of Bloomington, retiring in 2015 at the age of 75; though her job titles changed from city to city, her duties were always similar; her work meant countless others were hired, promoted, or awarded business contracts; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was active in many organizations, including the Illinois Municipal Human Relations Association, the Illinois Affirmative Action Officers Association, and the Colored Ladies Book Club; she served as an officer or member of several state and local committees of the NAACP; she was elected to the board of Peoria Public Schools District 150 in 2015, representing District 3; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was a founding member of Liberty Church of Peoria; her lifelong love of singing led her to join school and church choirs; she was a founding member of the Heritage Ensemble; she was a 2023 honoree of the Peoria Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's annual Sisterhood and Legends Celebration; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was most proud of being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law, Kathlyn (Francis) Williams; her brother, Robert Humes; and her sister, Geneva Jackson-Grant; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson is survived by her husband of 62 years, Donald R. Jackson Sr.; her sons, Donald Jackson Jr., Dale (Diane Linda) Jackson, and Deric (Hannah Puffer) Jackson; her brothers, Issac (Delores) Humes Jr. and Richard (Gladys) Humes; her sisters, Maggie Jenkins and Tracy (Eugene) Gathers; her grandchildren, Desirae (Duane Simmons) Jackson, Mario Jackson, Sofia Jackson, Lewyn Jackson, Tiffany (Dominique) Hobbs, and Randy Jackson Jr.; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ernestine Jackson 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 Ernestine Jackson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.