RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, This august Body wishes to extend its heart-fclfesympathics and condolences to the family and friends of Ywain Fields upon his passing on May 1 8, 2019; and
WHEREAS, Alpheus Fields was horn March 19, 1962 lo Alpheus H. Fields and Willie Doris Fields. l;rom an early age he was affectionately known by his middle name, "Ywain"; and
WHEREAS, Ywain attended elementary school at O'Keefe and Frank I. Bennett, graduating from middle school in 1975. He went on to graduate from Mendel Catholic High School; and
WHEREAS, Ywain attended Illinois State University from 1979 to 1981 before transferring to Columbia College in Chicago, from where he graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor's Degree in Radio and TV Broadcasting. While at Illinois State, Mr. Fields was the Head Director ofthe Interdenominational Youth Choir. The choir toured various universities, gospel music workshops and in 1980 recorded a gospel album entitled "Make a Joyful Noise"; and
WHEREAS, Music was a passion of Ywain from an early age. He studied the Suzuki Music Method; and
WHEREAS, In his formative years, Ywain enjoyed the music.of The Jackson 5 and James Brown; and
WHEREAS, Ywain joined Chicago radio station WVON in 1983, interning for legendary radio personality and co-owner of WVON, Pervis Spann; and
WHEREAS, Ywain's talent, creativity and strong connection to music and the church led him to his first on-air position at WVON as a gospel music host,.where he became affectionately known as "Deacon" Ywain Fields; and
WHEREAS, Ywain's 36-year career at WVON would find him holding a number of positions and excelling in all of them due to his talent and his love of music and radio; and
WHEREAS, He spent his last eight years at WVON as the overnight jock. He changed his name from "Deacon Ywain" to "Insane Ywain" and renamed the overnight show "The B Sides"; and
WHEREAS, Ywain's legacy in Chicago radio is legendary and his contributions to the field of music and radio will not be forgotten; and
WHEREAS, Ywain Fields is survived by his loving mother, Doris Fields, his caring son Phillip and dear daughter Aubrielle Fields, as well as his step-children Sidney, Terrian, and Torrian and many other relatives and; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members ofthe City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-ninth day of May, 2019, do hereby honor and pay tribute to Mr. Ywain Fields as we honor this exceptional man here today and extend our sympathies to his family and friends; and
^Al'Jq-j Anthony A.T3eale
' Alderman, 9th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RE^fytyd^A'tfrl a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Ywain Fields as a token of our sympathy and esteem.