CoM$ ■
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
May 6, 2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution regarding our departing colleague Alderman Latasha R. Thomas.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
«i*pi<dby Gity Gouncil Gity of GkimgorIllm
MAY 6, 2015
on
resented by MAYOR,RAHM EMANUEL
^O^lBtGdS \ The Members of this Chamber are proud to cphgratulate^buy ^ ,
friend and colleague. Alderman Latasha R. Thomas, on her fourteen years of
dedicated and outstanding service to the people of the 17th Ward and the City
of Chicago; and s /'■ -.
/■'■■'\ WHEREAS, An exemplary product of the Chicago Public Schools system,. Alderman Thomas attended Oglesby Elementary School and Kenwood Academy on Chicago's South Side. She earned her bachelor's degree in .; political science from the University of Illinois and her juris doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Prior to joining the Chicago City Council, Alderman Thomas enjoyed a successful career in private law practice and government service. In \ 1997, she began working for the Department of Human Services as Associate Director of the Children's Services Division. In April of 2000, she was promoted to. Director of Intergovernmental Relations; and: ...
WHEREAS, First appointed to the Chicago City Council in 2000 to fill a j. vacant qidermanic seat, Alderman Thomas was re-elected to four additional terms; and
WHEREAS, A proud resident of the 17th Ward for most of her life. Alderman ; Thomas worked tirelessly to improve the Englewood and Auburn Gresham neighborhoods by spurring investment in local businesses/During her three terms in office, the 17th Ward experienced the greatest increase in. new home construction and business growth in thirty years; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Thomas sponsored numerous community-building events. She is perhaps best known for hosting Ehglewood's Southside Gospel ■': Festival, the largest neighborhood gospel festival in all of Chicago. Over 20,000 city residents attend this spirited and inspirational event each year; and
WHEREAS, Improving Chicago's schools and, increasing educational opportunities for ail of the City's students were always among Alderman Thomas' foremost priorities. During her tenure in office, Alderman ; Thomas secured funding for school renovations and campus park facilities throughout the 17th Ward, and she called for hearings to examine the Chicago Public Schools' drug education policy; and
WHEREAS, An exemplary leader. Alderman Thomas demonstrated her
capacity for creative problem solving and bald action on many occasions. She
spearheaded the "Diversify in Firms Disclosure Ordinance" to encourage banks
and! other financial institutions to provide their employees with
opportunities to develop skills and professional expertise, and she was
instrumental in securing passage of an ordinance limiting the hours of operation
of businesses that chronically allow their premises be used for unlawful activities;
' and . . .'V: '. '-.V' ', ^■'.-'\:-:\:---'
WHEREAS, Alderman Thomas has served with distinction on many Chicago
City Council committees, including, most recently, as Chairman of the
Committee on Education and Child Development; and as d member of the
Committee on Committees, Rules and Ethics; Committee on Special Events,
Cultural Affairs and Recreation; Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building
Standards; Committee on the Budget and Government Operations; Cdmrnittee
on Human Relations; and Committee oh Workforce Development .and Audit;
now, therefore, v' ■
: BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this sixth day of May, 2015, do hereby extend to Alderman Lqtashd R. Thomas our heartfelt gratitude and thanks for her many years of exceptional service to the people of Chicago, and our best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors; and .
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Alderman Latasha R. Thomas as a token of our appreciation and esteem.