HR1359 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1359 LRB100 24520 MST 43843 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Chester Slaughter, who passed away on December 23, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was born in Chicago to Freida Williams on January 25, 1943; he attended William Shakespeare Elementary School and graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1961, where he excelled as a student and was a standout two-sport athlete in football and track; he graduated from Tennessee State University in 1965, where he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Beta Omicron Chapter, and received his Juris Doctorate in 1968 from the Howard University School of Law, where he participated in the Howard Law Journal; he married Ruth M. Willis, and they settled in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter had a distinguished 46-year career as an attorney, legal expert, community advocate, political advisor, and mentor; he was part of the firms of Howard, Mann, & Slaughter, Smith & Sumner, Lyle & Slaughter, and Chester Slaughter & Associates; he was known as a fierce competitor in the courtroom, had a reputation for being exceptionally knowledgeable about the law, and always aggressively fought for his clients to receive their due process; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter also worked as Cook County Assistant State's Attorney, General Counsel for the Maywood Park District, and hearing officer for the Cook County Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; he was involved with the Cook County Bar Association, where he served as past President; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a social justice advocate and believed in justice and employment for African Americans; he focused on the career development of aspiring young minority lawyers and utilized his leadership post at the Cook County Bar Association to launch the organization's first job fairs; he was a long-standing board member for the John Howard Association, where he actively spearheaded initiatives to protect the rights of women prisoners; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was as an adjunct professor and lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School and Northwestern University School of Law; he was a supporter of the 6th and 21st Ward Democratic organizations, where he worked on local political campaigns; he also cherished the brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, where he was active in the Xi Lambda Alumni Chapter and the Beta Omicron Foundation and was instrumental in establishing their student scholarship initiative; he was also active with the Chicago Assembly and the Chicago Chapter of the Tennessee State University Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a member of Saint Edmund Episcopal Church, where he was active in church activities, programs, and clubs; he also became a board member of the Saint Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation, where he was instrumental in efforts to provide affordable housing in the Washington Park neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a sports enthusiast; he was a member of the Chicago Snow Gophers and a competitive skier; he founded the Chicago South Swim Club and was also a United States Swimming Association Official; he was a basketball fanatic and enjoyed traveling around the country watching his two sons play basketball at the collegiate level; known for his love of cooking and well-dressed style, his family was always his top priority; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, Inez and John W. Willis; his aunts, Corine Slaughter and Earline Shelby; his uncles, George Slaughter Jr. and Theodore Slaughter; numerous cousins, great- nieces, nephews, and friends; and his beloved granddog, Ace Slaughter; and

WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruth; his sons, Craig (Jennifer Eckert) and Justin (Catrena) Slaughter; his mother, Freida Williams; his grandson, Russell Slaughter; his brothers-in-law, John W. (Bertha) Willis Jr., Victor Willis, and Leroy (Pamela) Willis Sr.; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Willis and Thelma Green; and his aunts, Louise Cornelius and Joan Price; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Chester Slaughter 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 Chester Slaughter as an expression of our deepest sympathy.