RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg was born in Chicago on May 6, 1925 to Mortimer and Jessie Porges; and
WHEREAS, In 1946 Lois Weisberg graduated from Northwestern University and in 1962 married Judge Bernard Weisberg with whom she remained wed until his death in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg was the loving mother of four children; and
WHEREAS, In 1975 Lois Weisberg served as Director of Development for Business and Professional People for the Public Interest and founded Friends of the Parks, a citizens advocacy group; and
WHEREAS, In 1983 Mayor Harold Washington appointed Lois Weisberg Director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events, a position she held until 1987; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Richard M. Daley named Lois Weisberg the first Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs in 1989; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg served as the Commissioner of the Department for twenty-two years and was instrumental in renovating the old Chicago Public Library into the vibrant Chicago Cultural Center, helped create Millennium Park and guided the re-opening of Navy Pier; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg was part of the development of what are now the Taste of Chicago, Blues Fest and the Chicago Gospel Festival; and
WHEREAS, In 1999 Lois Weisberg launched the highly successful exhibition known as "Cows on Parade" that showcased the designs of local artists on fiberglass, cows throughout various City street locations and brought an estimated $200 million in commerce to the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg and Maggie Daley, established Gallery 37, the after-school art program known today as After School Matters; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg is remembered as "Chicago's Cultural Connector" between business and the fine arts; and
WHEREAS, Lois Weisberg was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her many relatives, friends and admirers; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this tenth day of February, 2016, do hereby commemorate Lois Weisberg for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lois Weisberg.
