RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, William Higginson has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of the Streeterville neighborhood, William Higginson was a widely admired champion of affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Harvey, William Higginson received masters' degrees from Wheaton College and from McCormick Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister; and
WHEREAS, In 1972 William Higginson was named Executive Director of the Southwest YMCA where he created programs for at-risk teens on Chicago's South Side and in 22 suburban communities; and
WHEREAS, William Higginson went on to join Chicago United, a not-for-profit group of corporate leaders dedicated to improving socio-economic conditions and race relations; and
WHEREAS, While President of Chicago United, William Higginson pioneered the use of federal low-income housing tax credits and established the Chicago Equity Fund which was responsible for rehabbing or building thousands of affordable housing units; and
WHEREAS, William Higginson later founded a statewide program which also served as a conduit between corporations seeking tax savings and impoverished neighborhoods in need of development; and
WHEREAS, Following a long and highly distinguished career in which he helped countless people lead better lives, William Higginson retired from Chicago United in 2005; and
WHEREAS, The compassion, vision and dedication of William Higginson serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared William Higginson to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, William Higginson was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his two sons, Mark and Edward, his daughter, Kari, his two sisters, Carol and Vera, and his six grandchildren, William Higginson imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
this resolution be
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy presented to the family of William Higginson.
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-fourth day of September 2015, do hereby commemorate William Higginson for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and