SR0368 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0368 LRB096 13391 KXB 28115 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Wanda White Gills of Chicago, who passed away on June 24, 2009; and

WHEREAS, She was born on November 11, 1956 in Charlottesville, Virginia; she moved to Chicago in 1985 with her husband, Elder Dr. Douglas Gills; and

WHEREAS, She served as an Assistant or Deputy Commissioner under Chicago Mayors Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer, and Richard M. Daley; she was a community based coalition builder, serving with the Community Workshop on Economic Development (CWED) and the Women's Self Employment Project (WSEP); and

WHEREAS, She was known as the "Mother" of Chicago's award-winning Empowerment Zone planning process, working tirelessly in mobilizing low-income communities to participate in the planning process while serving as the Executive Director of CWED; after leaving CWED, she became the Development Director of the Chicago Housing Authority Transition team, spearheading the Hope VI planning and implementation process involving public housing residents; and

WHEREAS, She was an active member of Progressive Community Center Church, where she served in a variety of positions, including Chief Operating Officer and as a member of the Praise Dance team; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her brother, Clarence White Ragland; and

WHEREAS, She is survived by her husband, Elder Dr. Douglas Gills; her sons, Wilbur Scott and Raymond Douglas; her daughter, Raniece White; her parents, Ray and Ethel Ragland; her four grandchildren; her adopted sisters and brothers; and a host of nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Wanda White Gills; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Wanda White Gills as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.