SR0798 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0798 LRB103 39568 MST 69819 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles Dukes Jr., who passed away on January 16, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes was born to Charles and Ada L. Dukes in Chicago on May 29, 1949; he graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School in Chicago in 1968; he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Relations from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes began his 37-year federal contracting career with the U.S. Department of the Army at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and he was later reassigned to the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois; he transferred to the Defense Logistics Agency in Chicago, where he served as deputy for small business for many years; he then joined the Department of Veterans Affairs National Acquisition Center as a member of the management team; before retiring, he transferred to the General Services Administration, where he performed contracting activities for federal agencies procuring complex information technology systems; he was a respected and beloved co-worker and friend to many; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes was a consummate entrepreneur, owning many businesses over the years, including a laundromat, a parking garage, and cabs dispatched out of the Peoples Cab Company; after retirement, he owned a construction company with his partner and friend, Abel Saenz; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes was baptized in the Baptist faith, but he attended St. Eulalia Catholic Church with his wife; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes' kind and compassionate nature was highlighted by the care he provided to his family in their time of need; he was a wonderful father to his children, never saying "no" to their requests, and he was proud of their individual accomplishments; he loved his wife, children, and family unconditionally; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Marshall, Tony, Rodney, and Robert; and

WHEREAS, Charles Dukes is survived by his wife, Gay; his sisters, Gloria and Diane; his children, Charles, Felicia, William (Dana), and Lindsey; his grandchildren, Jahazz, Ashley, Amber, Christopher, Sheldon, Aaron, and Tamia; his special nephews, Dujuan, Terrance, and Robert; his special friends, Lawrence Bogus and Shirley (John) Robinson; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; the Hanson family; the McGee family; and many 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 Charles Dukes 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 Charles Dukes as an expression of our deepest sympathy.