Record #: R2023-355   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 2/1/2023 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 2/1/2023
Title: Congratulations extended to Greg Harris on retirement from Illinois House of Representatives
Sponsors: Lightfoot, Lori E. , O'Shea, Matthew J., Tunney, Thomas, Rodriguez, Michael D., Cappleman, James, Sposato, Nicholas, Vasquez, Jr., Andre, Dowell, Pat, Hadden, Maria E. , Waguespack, Scott, Silverstein, Debra L., Ervin, Jason C., Scott, Monique L. , Villegas, Gilbert, Gardiner, James M. , Martin, Matthew J. , Sadlowski Garza, Susan, Hopkins, Brian , Hairston, Leslie A., Valencia, Anna M.
Attachments: 1. R2023-355.pdf

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

CITY OF CHICAGO

LORI E. LIGHTFOOT

MAYOR

February 1, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

I transmit herewith, together with City Clerk Valencia, Aldermen O'Shea, Tunney, Rodriguez, Cappleman, Sposato, Vasquez, Dowell, Hadden, Waguespack, Silverstein, Ervin, Scott, Villegas, Gardiner. Martin, Sadlowski-Garza, Hopkins and Hairston, a resolution honoring Greg Harris, former Majority Leader ofthe Illinois House of Representatives.

 

Your favorable consideration ofthis resolution will be appreciated.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, In recognition of his leadership and appreciation of his tireless work improving the lives of all Chicagoans through good governance and his dedicated advocacy for the rights of the LGBT community, the Members of this Chamber are pleased to congratulate Greg Harris, on the occasion of his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives; and

 

WHEREAS, Greg Harris graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder; and

WHEREAS, Following a stint in senior management at the National Home Furnishings Association, Greg Harris made the choice to enter public service; and

 

WHEREAS, Greg Harris served for fourteen years as the Chief of Staff for Alderman Mary Ann Smith of Chicago's 48th Ward; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2006, Greg Harris was elected as the state representative for the 13th District, where he represented parts of Chicago's Uptown, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square, North Center, West Ridge and Bowmanville neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Greg Harris was reelected seven times as a state representative in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, Greg Harris sponsored The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act, which established civil unions in Illinois; and

 

WHEREAS, In 2013, Greg Harris was the lead sponsor of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which legalized same-sex marriages in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Greg Harris became the first openly gay person in Illinois to become a member of legislative leadership by becoming Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Greg Harris also served as Chairman of the Rules Committee and as chief budget negotiator for House Democrats; and

WHEREAS, Greg Harris was the chairman of the Violence Prevention Task Force and a member of the Racial and Ethnic Impact Research Task Force, the Quality of Life Board and the House Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment; and

 

WHEREAS, Greg Harris has received a host of awards for his advocacy for many groups, including the Hope And Courage Award from Lurie Children's Hospital, American Cancer Society Advocate Award, Community Pride Award from Equality Illinois, Father McDermott Award from the Haymarket Center, Lifetime Achievement Award from Illinois Association of Community Care and Homecare Providers, Legislative Champion for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities award, the Illinois School Counselor Association Legislator of the Year Award, three Friend of Agriculture Awards from the Illinois Farm Bureau, and is the first person to receive Gay Chicago Magazine's Person of the Year honor; and

 

WHEREAS, On November29, 2021, Greg Harris announced he would not seek reelection for a ninth term following 16 years of service in the Illinois General Assembly and more than 30 years of public service; now, therefore,

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this first day of February, 2023, do hereby congratulate Greg Harris on the

 

 

occasion of his retirement; express to him our heartfelt gratitude for his exemplary service to the residents of our great City and the State of Illinois; and extend to him our best wishes for continued health, happiness, prosperity, and success; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Greg Harris as a sign of our appreciation and esteem.