HR0406 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0406 LRB103 34223 MST 64048 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Ernestine Jackson, who passed away on September 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was born in Benoit, Mississippi to Isaac Sr. and Mary (Washington) Humes on June 23, 1940; she married Donald R. Jackson Sr. at the former St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Peoria on January 21, 1961; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson's career in equal opportunity and affirmative action began in the late 1960s at the University of Illinois; in Peoria, while civil rights activists were in the streets pushing for equal opportunity in jobs, housing, and education, she often found herself on the other front line inside city hall pushing to end discriminatory practices; she served as the first director of fair employment and housing for the City of Peoria, assistant to the city manager for Champaign, director of diversity for CILCO, a personnel officer for the University of Illinois, human relations director for Bloomington, and the EEOC director for the City of Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson had worked in her chosen field for almost 50 years when she retired from the City of Bloomington in 2015 at the age of 75; the year she retired, she was elected to the board of Peoria District 150, representing District 3; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was active in many organizations, including the Illinois Municipal Human Relations Association, the Illinois Affirmative Action Officers Association, and the Colored Ladies Book Club; she served as an officer or member of several state and local committees of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson had a life-long love of singing, which led her to join school and church choirs; she was a founding member of the Heritage Ensemble; she was a 2023 honoree of the Peoria Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's annual Sisterhood and Legends Celebration; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was one of the founding members of Liberty Church of Peoria; she was most proud of being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law, Kathlyn (Francis) Williams; her brother, Robert Humes; and her sister, Geneva Jackson-Grant; and

WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson is survived by her husband of 62 years, Donald R. Jackson Sr.; her sons, Donald Jackson Jr., Dale Jackson (Diane Linda), and Deric Jackson (Hannah Puffer); her brothers, Issac (Delores) Humes Jr. and Richard (Gladys) Humes; her sisters, Maggie Jenkins and Tracy (Eugene) Gathers; her grandchildren, Desirae Jackson (Duane Simmons), Mario Jackson, Sofia Jackson, Lewyn Jackson, Tiffany (Dominique) Hobbs, and Randy Jackson Jr.; her great-grandchildren, Trinity, Leiana, Le'Naya, D'Ahira, Analya, T'Ayla, Delano, Serenity, Randy III, Jathan, Kaidyn, and Marie; three great-great-grandchildren, Aubriella, Akai, and Angel; and numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ernestine Jackson and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ernestine Jackson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.