A resolution
adopted by The City Council
of the City of Chicago, Illinois
TRIBUTE TO BRIAN E. SLEET
WHEREAS, on December 26, 2018, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, called home His faithful servant, Brian E. Sleet, a much beloved, inspirational community leader and public servant; and
WHEREAS, Brian Sleet grew up in this city's south side Chatham neighborhood. He and his family attended Pilgrim Baptist Church. At home, Brian and his brother learned to play music together and would practice duets on their single piano. Brian was also an excellent and serious student at school. After graduating from Whitney Young Magnet High School in 1966, Brian matriculated to Dartmouth College where he majored in sociology; and
WHEREAS, during his time at Dartmouth, he applied for an internship with noted political consultant Delmarie Cobb who assigned him to work on the Roland Burris campaign for Illinois Governor. It was here that Brian Sleet embraced what would become his life's work. After obtaining a law degree from the University of Illinois, he returned to his native city because he loved Chicago, he loved his community and he wanted to make a difference. He taught at a neighborhood elementary school, worked for the U.S. Census Bureau and practiced independently as a family law attorney; and
WHEREAS, after losing his only attempt at running for office in 2011, Brian Sleet became chief-of-staff to his rival in that race and soon became an indispensable as well as a much sought-after figure in Chicago politics. His keen political mind, speechwriting savvy and a mastery of social media meant anybody that was running for elected office wanted Brian's advice. He was a quiet leader, devoted to the people and the cause of democracy; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Brian Sleet, whose background in sociology allowed him to easily relate to people and understand how issues were connected and bridged race and class, managed the successful Kim Foxx campaign for Cook County States Attorney. "It's important for me to say that I don't know if I would have won without him," Foxx was quoted as saying. "He was a brilliant, thoughtful and an incredible force ..."; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, he became a public affairs consultant and a spokesman for the Obama Foundation. "He was especially passionate about the impact the [Obama Presidential Center] will have on children, particularly South Siders, who would know that the Obamas walked their same streets and had so much in common with them, inspiring them to reach great heights," Foundation officer Michael Strautmanis was quoted as saying. "We know we wouldn't be where we are today without his counsel"; and
WHEREAS, social media tributes to Sleet's legacy made his name a trending Illinois topic on Twitter. Many Chicagoans hashtagged "#sleetischicago" and wrote captions expressing their sorrow on Instagram and Facebook as a personal trbute; and
WHEREAS, on behalf of the Black Caucus of Chicago's City Council, its chairman, the Honorable Roderick Sawyer, Alderman of the 6th Ward, has apprised this august body of the loss of this outstanding mentor, role-model, consular and friend; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council gathered together on this 23rd Day of January, 2019 AD, do hereby express our sincerest sorrow upon learning of the passing of Brian E. Sleet and offer our deepest condolences to his family, his friends, and the many people whose lives he has touched.
BE IT FURTHER RESOL VED that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Brian E. Sleet.