OFFICE OF THE MAYOR CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT MAYOR
April 19, 2023
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with the entire City Couneil, a resolution honoring Alderman Roderick Sawyer.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, In recognition of his leadership and appreciation of his tireless work improving the lives of the residents of the 6th Ward and all Chicagoans through zealous advocacy as a member of the City Council, the Members of this Chamber are pleased to congratulate Alderman Roderick Sawyer on the occasion of his retirement from the Council; and
WHEREAS, Roderick Sawyerwas born in Chicago in 1963 to Celeste C. Taylor and future Mayor of Chicago, the Honorable Eugene Sawyer; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Roderick Sawyer has spent his whole life in Chicago, being educated at St. Ignatius College Prep for high school, followed by DePaul University for college, and going to law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Roderick Sawyer practiced law at the Law Office of Roderick T. Sawyer where he became an expert at licensing issues; and
WHEREAS, Since his election as 6th Ward Alderman in 2011, Roderick Sawyer has increased his already active participation in local community groups, including Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), Park Manor Neighbors Community Council, Chatham Avalon Park Community Council, Greater Chatham Alliance, Chesterfield Community Council, West Chesterfield Community Council and Roseland Heights Community Council; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Sawyer has presided over the City Council Black Caucus as Chairman and was a founding member of the Progressive Reform Caucus, as well as a member of the City Council committees on Education and Child Development, Human Relations, License and Consumer Protection, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety, Special Events, Cultural Affairs and Recreation, Rules and Ethics, Finance, and Budget and Government Operations; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Sawyer led the charge on an ordinance creating a city-backed commission to study possible reparations for Black Chicagoans and has also been one of the City Council's leading voices on police reform and oversight since at least 2018, when he helped introduce a proposal for a multi-level plan for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Sawyer has further focused on raising the minimum wager bringing jobs to his community, which includes Chatham, Greater Grand Crossing, and Auburn Gresham, especially for young people, and increasing access to mental health institutions across the city; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this nineteenth day of April 2023, do hereby congratulate Alderman Roderick Sawyer on the occasion of his retirement; express to him our heartfelt gratitude for his exemplary service to the residents of our great City; 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 Alderman Roderick Sawyer as a sign of our appreciation and esteem.