Record #: R2018-1265   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 11/14/2018 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 11/14/2018
Title: Tribute to late Phillip Jackson
Sponsors: Emanuel, Rahm, Dowell, Pat, King, Sophia D., Hairston, Leslie A., Sawyer, Roderick T., Mitchell, Gregory I., Harris, Michelle A., Beale, Anthony, Foulkes, Toni, Moore, David H., Curtis, Derrick G., Willie B. Cochran, Brookins, Jr., Howard, Scott, Jr. Michael, Burnett, Jr., Walter, Ervin, Jason C., Taliaferro, Chris, Austin, Carrie M., Mitts, Emma
Attachments: 1. R2018-1265.pdf

OFFICE  OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF CHICAGO

RAHM EMANUEL

MAYOR

November 14, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Austin, Beale, Brookins Jr., Burnett Jr., Cochran, Curtis, Dowell, Ervin, Foulkes, Hairston, Harris, King, Mitchell, Mitts, David Moore, Sawyer, Scott Jr. and Taliaferro, a resolution memorializing the life of Phillip Jackson.

 

Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.

Mayor

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn that Phillip Jackson, a dynamic and tireless businessman, community leader, and civil servant, passed away on November 4, 2018 at the age of 68; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1950, Mr. Jackson was born in Chicago's Altgeld Gardens Homes on the far south side. As a child, he moved frequently, attending 11 different schools; and

 

WHEREAS, After graduating from DuSable High School, Mr. Jackson began working at Kroch's and Brentano's Book Stores as a stock clerk. In addition to working, he attended college, and by 1974 he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, with honors, from Roosevelt University. He continued working at Kroch's and Brentano's, rising to Senior Vice President of Operations, before taking a job with the City of Chicago; and

 

WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson began his career in public service in Chicago's Office of Budget and Management, and within six months was promoted to Assistant Budget Director. One of his most notable achievements was leading a "Quick-Pay" task force that strived to ensure that all vendors, and particularly those owned by minorities, received timely and proper payment from the City; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1995, Mr. Jackson joined the Chicago Public Schools transition team. Over the course of five years, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Chief of Staff. During his tenure, Mr. Jackson helped CPS enter the highest number of contracts with minority and women-owned businesses in Chicago history. He also led a team that secured millions of dollars in grant funding for capital improvement projects and innovative educational initiatives; and

 

WHEREAS, Recognizing that a substantial racial academic achievement gap existed both in Chicago and across our Nation, Mr. Jackson founded The Black Star Project in 1996. The Black Star Project focused on eliminating this achievement gap by improving the lives of residents in African American and Latino communities; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1999, Mr. Jackson became CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority, bringing his extraordinary drive and enthusiasm to the issues facing residents of public housing. During his time with CHA, he negotiated a $1.6 billion agreement with the federal government to transform public housing from purely a bricks and mortar proposition to improving the lives of its residents. He employed a hands-on approach, visiting CHA buildings each week to meet with residents so that he could hear their concerns about living conditions, and he also made sure that all children in CHA housing received gifts of books over the holidays. Most notably, Mr. Jackson designed a summer school program that helped 92% of failing 8th grade students make sufficient progress to be promoted to high school; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2000, Mr. Jackson moved back to City Hall, where he served as Chief of Education in the Office of the Mayor. During this time, Mr. Jackson organized the first citywide parent empowerment conference; and

 

WHEREAS, After serving as President and CEO ofthe Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, in 2002 Mr. Jackson elected to return to The Black Star Project as its Executive Director. His efforts gained him national recognition, and during his time he was recognized as a leader in the

 

 

advocacy of community involvement in education and the importance of parental development; and

 

WHEREAS, Among the many honors he received in his lifetime, Mr. Jackson was honored as an Education Champion of Change for America by The White House, Champion of Social Justice by the Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, Citizen of the Year by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Monarch Man of the Year in Education by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Reclaim Our Youth Honoree by Operation Push, Education Man of the Year for the Bud Billiken Parade, Illinois Educator of the Year for the 7th Congressional District of Illinois, Champion of Social Justice by Chicago African Americans In Philanthropy, and he received the Ricky Birdson Father ofthe Year Award for the State of Illinois by the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative. He was also named as one of Chicago Defender's "50 Men of Excellence" and received the Cook County State Attorney's Community Empowerment Award; and

 

WHEREAS, Phillip Jackson will always be remembered for his tireless work to promote educational opportunities for Chicago's youth and equal opportunities for all. His passion and dedication to public service are an example to us all of the difference one person can make in the lives of many; and \

WHEREAS, Phillip Jackson leaves to cherish his memory four sisters, including Gloria Smith, who now serves as Executive Director of The Black Star Project, and innumerable friends he made throughout his life; and

 

WHEREAS, Phillip Jackson touched the lives of all who knew him through his activism, vision, advocacy and dedication to his city. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his character and will live on in those who knew and loved him; now, therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this fourteenth day of November, 2018, do hereby mourn the passing of Phillip Jackson, and do hereby extend our most sincere condolences to his family and friends; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Phillip Jackson as a sign of our honor, gratitude and respect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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