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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former
4Illinois State Representative Shirley Marie Jones of Chicago,
5who passed away on March 20, 2016; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones was born in Chicago to Elisha and
7Bessie Jones on November 9, 1939; she joined Holy Family and
8St. Sabina parishes; she attended Smyth Elementary School and
9Cregier and Crane high schools on Chicago's West Side; she
10later attended George Williams College; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones' athleticism as a young lady molded her
12career; she was an exceptional volleyball player, avid golfer,
13bowler, and a fan of all sports; she was a physical education
14instructor at several Chicago park locations; she rose through
15the ranks of the Chicago Park District for a career that lasted
16nearly 30 years; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones' political career grew from her
18precinct work in the powerful "1st Ward", to seven terms in the
19Illinois General Assembly; she championed legislation for
20seniors, public aid, and consumer rights; she served on many
21committees and chaired the Public Utilities Committee; under
22her leadership, the utility deregulation legislation that

 

 

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1revamped Illinois was written; upon retirement, after several
2unopposed terms as State Representative, she became a lobbyist
3for Commonwealth Edison until her full retirement; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones was a member of several clubs and
5organizations and served on several boards, including the
6National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National
7Organization of Black Elected Women, and the Red Hatters; she
8also assisted many not-for-profit organizations, including the
9Cathedral Shelter, the Duncan YMCA, and the Campaign for a Drug
10Free Westside; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones was affectionately know as "Aunt
12Shirley"; she was a member of Apostolic Church of God; her
13family was the most important thing in her life and she
14coordinated most of the holiday parties, trips, gatherings, and
15Bid Whist nights for her family and friends; she also enjoyed
16trips to Las Vegas; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones was preceded in death by her siblings,
18Alberta, Roberta, Earskin, and Allen, and her son, Darryl; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Rep. Jones is survived by her beloved husband,
20Harold Neal; her daughter, La Keisha Jones; her three sisters,
21Gladys (Willie), Irene, and Betty (Leonard); her brother,
22Phillip; her 7 grandchildren, Darryl, Nick, Nakia, Jarrett,

 

 

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1Brittany, Darnesha, and Aiyanna; her two great-grandchildren;
2her goddaughter, Shonnie; her stepdaughter, Telecia; her
3sister-in-law, Peggy; her brother-in-law, Lamont; and a host of
4nieces, nephews, and other relatives; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7mourn the passing of former Illinois State Representative
8Shirley Marie Jones, and extend our sincere condolences to her
9family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
10further
 
11    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12presented to the family of Rep. Jones as an expression of our
13deepest sympathy.