SR0262 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0262 LRB102 18177 MST 25733 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In an effort to do their part in addressing homelessness, hunger, economic development, and equity resources, retired Chicago Bears player Israel Idonije of FBRK (fab*rik) and the FBRK Brands team developed their vision for impact and growth through the creation of the FBRK Impact House; it is the nation's first philanthropic hub for foundations, grant makers, and socially responsible corporations committed to social change; it serves and supports the philanthropic community by providing a place where not-for-profit grantor organizations can work together intentionally sharing ideas and resources; the goal is for all organizations to operate with greater efficiency; the network is made up of well-rounded and ambitious individuals, driven by purpose and the desire to use their gifts to contribute to the success of underserved communities; and

WHEREAS, The FBRK Impact House had its official grand opening on March 1, 2020 and welcomed its long-term tenants, including Forefront, the Woods Fund of Chicago, The Field Foundation of Illinois, Inc., United States Artists, Inc., A Better Chicago, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Pillars, the Children First Fund, the Knight Family Foundation, The Academy Group, the Gupta Foundation (Avani Narang), the Margot and Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation (Margot L. Pritzker Fund), Public Good Partners, and Enrich Chicago; Access Members, utilizing work lounges and open space, are the Baum Foundation, the Cornerstone Foundation, the Comer Family Foundation, Verizon, the Healthy Communities Foundation, and the Crown Foundation; and

WHEREAS, The philanthropically-focused FBRK Impact House is the first prong of a two-prong strategy to improve the quality of life of human capital; with the creation of the Impact Fund, FBRK will target support towards individuals and families in underserved and neglected communities; and

WHEREAS, The Technology, Renewable Energy Command Center (TRECC), a workforce development and innovation center, is the second prong of the strategy to improve and support individuals, families, and communities that are underserved and neglected; it will be a full-service mecca for entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators in the industries of Technology, Renewable Energy, Finances, E-Commerce, and Arts; the onsite innovation center will offer skills training, job placement, and workforce development in cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and transportation, coding hardware and software, finances, e-commerce, robotics, animation, hydroponics, and automation industries and will help communities in developing resiliency to economic changes, while building the next generation of entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators; and

WHEREAS, TRECC will weave together technology, innovation, business mentorship, workforce development, and wellness to serve small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families in underserved and neglected communities; and

WHEREAS, The world is changing how it trains, develops, and deploys the next generation of its workforce; it is important that communities faced with homelessness, hunger, and a lack of economic development and without equity resources are part of this change; when the FBRK Brands team can fully implement the two-prong strategy of the FBRK Impact House and TRECC, it will provide exponential growth in addressing the social, economic, and development needs of its most valuable resource of human capital; rebuilding families and communities through the social and economic spheres is the objective; and

WHEREAS, When the State of Illinois strategically invests in the development and improvement of underserved and neglected communities, it prepares those communities to become socially and economically independent, and the State stands to benefit tremendously through the efforts of the FBRK Impact House and TRECC; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the members of the Illinois General Assembly, state agencies, and Governor JB Pritzker and his administration to partner with and support the work of the FBRK Brands team, including FBRK Impact House and TRECC; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the FBRK Brands team and Governor JB Pritzker.