093_HR0094
LRB093 11086 KEF 11807 r
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives would like to recognize Diane Nilan for her
4 tireless efforts to protect the rights of homeless people
5 throughout this State; and
6 WHEREAS, Diane Nilan attended the University of St.
7 Francis where she received a bachelor's degree in Philosophy;
8 she also attended Joliet Jr. College for special interest
9 courses; and
10 WHEREAS, Diane Nilan successfully created and lobbied for
11 State and federal legislation, including the passage of
12 "Charlie's Bill" which protects homeless children's rights in
13 education; and
14 WHEREAS, Diane Nilan is a board member and past president
15 of the Illinois Coalition to End Homelessness; she has
16 planned and coordinated local, statewide, and national
17 advocacy activities along with many other tasks including:
18 developing and conducting legislative campaigns; recruiting
19 and initiating new board members; soliciting major funds in
20 support of the organization; and she has pressed for improved
21 discharge policies from State corrections and mental health
22 institutions; and
23 WHEREAS, Since 1990, Diane Nilan has been the Associate
24 Director of the Hesed House and the Program Director of the
25 Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS); she has edited
26 agency newsletters increasing circulation from 6,000 to
27 9,500, and solidified volunteer support from 5,000 people to
28 over 60 faith communities as primary shelter staff; she has
29 raised visibility of the agency in the media to improve its
30 image and produced brochures, displays, and websites to
31 convey the agency's mission and its accomplishments; her work
32 for the organizations' has included everything from
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1 successfully replicating the PADS shelter model in over a
2 dozen communities to implementing and supervising new
3 programs such as medical clinic, legal assistance, and summer
4 tent camp; and
5 WHEREAS, In the past, Diane Nilan served as Development
6 Director for Catholic Charities; she is the Will Co. PADS
7 Shelter Founder, and served as an Independent Contractor; she
8 also served as board member and chair for the Statewide
9 Housing Action Coalition; and
10 WHEREAS, Diane Nilan has worked to empower homeless
11 people to move forward so that they might help themselves and
12 others; therefore, be it
13 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15 we honor Diane Nilan and thank her for her dedication to help
16 end injustices and suffering caused by poverty and
17 homelessness; and we wish her health and happiness in all of
18 her future endeavors; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20 presented to Diane D. Nilan with our respect and esteem.