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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, John Jones was one of the most prominent advocates
3for the repeal of what were known as the "Black Codes", a
4series of laws that were designed to restrict the ability of
5African Americans to experience citizenship and equality; and
 
6    WHEREAS, John Jones was born a free man in Greene County,
7North Carolina; he became an indentured servant to a tailor
8named Richard Clere, who transferred his contract as an
9apprentice to another man; he became concerned that the family
10of the man for whom he did his apprenticeship might attempt to
11claim him as a slave, and so, in a preemptive move, obtained a
12Certificate of Freedom in 1838; he then moved to Alton, a
13certified and bona fide free person; he moved to Chicago in
141845, where he set up a successful tailoring shop on Dearborn
15Street; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Once in Chicago, John Jones began to fight for
17equal rights for people of color; in 1850, President Millard
18Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Act, giving slaveholders the
19right to seek runaway slaves in the free states; he forcefully
20denounced the Fugitive Slave Act, and he and 6 other men, set
21up Liberty Association to watch for slave catchers seeking
22runaway slaves; he and his wife, Mary, brought fugitive slaves
23and anti-slavery activists into their home, including John

 

 

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1Brown and Frederick Douglass; and
 
2    WHEREAS, In 1864, the Chicago Tribune printed John Jones'
3pamphlet entitled "The Black Laws of Illinois and a Few Reasons
4Why They Should Be Repealed"; he approached Illinois General
5Assembly members and spoke to them at the State House (now the
6Old State Capitol Building) about why the Black Codes should be
7eliminated; his efforts succeeded in February of 1865 when the
8General Assembly voted in favor of repealing the Codes; and
 
9    WHEREAS, John Jones went on to be elected as the first
10black Cook County Commissioner in 1871, serving a second term
11from 1872 until 1875; during his time in office, he helped pass
12legislation that outlawed segregation in local schools; his
13tailoring business continued to thrive; after his death on May
1421, 1879, the Chicago Tribune reported that he had been the
15most prominent black citizen in the City; and
 
16    WHEREAS, John Jones refused to allow the discrimination of
17African Americans to continue unchallenged in Chicago and
18throughout the nation; his efforts brought about real change in
19Illinois, moving the State closer to true equality; he
20dedicated much of his time, energy, and money to the repeal of
21these repressive laws; therefore, be it
 
22    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

 

 

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1NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
2honor abolitionist and civil rights pioneer John Jones for his
3tireless efforts in fighting for the repeal of the Illinois
4Black Codes; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of John Jones as an expression of our
7esteem and respect.