Record #: R2020-606   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 9/9/2020 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 9/9/2020
Title: Tribute to late Honorable James R. Thompson
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2020-606 - Resolution of Remembrance for the late Honorable James R. Thompson, 2. R2020-606.pdf, 3. R2020-606 - Resolution of Remembrance for the late Honorable James R. Thompson

 

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, Honorable James R. Thompson has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 84; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, Governor Thompson is survived by his wife, Jayne Carr Thompson, his daughter, Samantha Thompson and granddaughter; and

 

WHEREAS, Governor Thompson was born on the West Side of Chicago on May 8, 1936 to James Robert Thompson and Agnes Josephine Swanson; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1976, Thompson was elected governor, winning more than three million votes, a record-setting number of votes that hasn't been surpassed since; and

 

WHEREAS, Governor Thompson, a moderate Republican known as "Big Jim," who used his enthusiasm for campaigning and his canny understanding of state politics; and

 

WHEREAS, Thompson served for 14 years after winning an election to a special two-year term and became the longest-serving governor in Illinois history; and

 

WHEREAS, Before he became governor, Thompson was U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois where he prosecuted notable corruption cases; and

 

WHEREAS, Governor Thompson's electoral success was due in part to his love for campaigning ensuring he was impeccably prepared when traveling the state to campaign, and walking parade routes twice so he could connect with more voters; and

 

WHEREAS, During his four terms in office, Governor Thompson spearheaded the Build Illinois infrastructure initiative, and he helped negotiate a new stadium deal that kept the White Sox in Chicago; and

 

WHEREAS, In the years after his final term came to an end, Governor Thompson was Chairman arid CEO of law firm Winston & Strawn, and he served on the National Commission on Terror Attacks Upon the United States, investigating the 9/11 attacks; and

 

WHEREAS, "Try as we might, we Democrats just could not beat Big Jim," Senator Dick Durban, an Illinois Democrat, said on twitter; and

 

 

WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Honorable James R. Thompson imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this Ninth day ofSeptember, 2020, do hereby commemorate Honorable James R. Thompson for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be presented to the family of Honorable James R. Thompson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edward M. Burke Alderman, 14th Ward