Type: Title:
Committee(s) Assignment:
Fioretti (2) Moreno (1) Foulkes (15) Chandler (24) Solis (25) Moore (49) Mendoza (Clerk) Resolution
Tribute to late Honorable JoAnn Thompson
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
March 10,2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a resolution honoring the life and memory of our dear friend and colleague JoAnn Thompson.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
adopted by Tlie Qity QoUVlcil
ofthe Qity of Ghicago. Illinois
CITY CLERK SUSANA A. MENDOZA
presented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL n„ MARCH 10,2015
^^QllBTGUS > With profound sadness arid an overwhelming sense of loss, the Members of this Chamber mourn the death, on February 9, 2015, at age 58, of our friend and colleague Alderman JoAnn Thompson. Affectionately known as "Jo" by.her family and close friends. Alderman Thompson served the people of the 16th Ward, comprising the Englewood and Gage Park neighborhoods, with impeccable dignity arid honor; and ^
WHEREAS, Born on September 18, 1956, Alderman Thompson was raised on the South Side of Ghicago. An iiriteiligbnt and gifted person, who readily took oh difficult assignments. Alderman Thorribson served as a lieutenant in the Cook CountyDepartment of Corrections prior to becoming an alderman; and
WHEREAS, A strong and resilient woman. Alderman Thompson was not a stranger to hardship. She overcame a perida" of homelessness, rebounded from the .death of her "beloyed husband in 1992, and triumphed in a bout with alcoholism following that tragic loss. Alderman Thompson was a conqueror, crediting. God and q social worker at the Chicago Christian Industrial League with helping her to turn her life around. She took justifiable pride in her recovery, telling her constituents: "I represent hope"; and
WHEREAS, First elected to the Chicago City Council on April 17, 2007, and re-elected on April 5, 2011, Alderman Thompson was a tireless advocate for her community. She sponsored 437 pieces of legislation, and she was instrumental in enacting legislation to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and synthetic marijuana in Chicago. An exceptional leader, Alderman Thompson served as the Vice Chair of the City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection, as an active member of the Black Caucus, and as Committeeman of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, A public servant par excellence, who cared deeply about
children, Alderman Thompson understood that the prosperity of q community is
expressed in the advancement of its'.people. Committed to bringing jobs,
economic prosperity and educational opportunities to the l6,h Ward,-Alderman
Thompson attracted a Whole Foods grocery store jo the corner of Halsted Street
and 63rd Street in ;Eh^lbwpqd;riobb State legislators to provide :
capital improvement,- funding for_flj|j-'S.choo!s'.'and sparks jn the 16th. Ward; and secured, q $3.5 tfniilipn.^
AjgymndsiUm^ Oliver ^Wendell jHolmes :
Elementary School; and / - r ^'.:'-K [■" ■ '' V'V; ' '-r'^''
WHEiREAS,:?AW^ most vulnerable j-citizehs./^5he cared, deeply ^db^ ' chronically homeless, the disabled arid the sick.-Thariks to her/efforts, the'Bethel Terjtace^Seriior^
)ipusirig^}|or ^e^6r:;;ci^^ns^ wq^e'xjp^n^ed coniplexes fbr^
ijv^firsf ]^ehde^ Nation :!qnd the
^firsf Vetera
■Englewood, d $17 ' million, 99-unlt7 suppprttve ^
chronically homeless and disqbled/i 6pejne.d it^ "d^rs) ^qnd the 'Access Health Mfedicql .Cqmp'u^Whidh. includes ^ ■ research .center; -Was''Built dt 52^. Street aha" Asnldnd Avenue; arid '■■
WHEREAS,f,A firm believerMn jrieighbdrhoo.d beautificationVdnd equality of
life,^Alderman Thb totaling'hiore than
$5 million, thaiawarded /grants jo" more neighborhood residents for
sorely needed -repairs to their property;^^ the innovative "Lots of
Change" program, which br6ughV''i2>]bO,,coljege students frorh across the Country to the 16,h Ward to assist in the clean-up of vacant lots; and established the first-ever 16th Ward Musical Festival and the award-winning 16,h Ward Track and Field Team; and
WHEREAS, Widely admired for her personal courage, leadership and grace. Alderman JoAnn Thompson will always be remembered for her caring spirit and genuine,smile, and as an exemplary public servant with an abiding affection for the people of Chicago. Her legacy of service, love and compassion survives in the beautiful family she left behindhand
WHEREAS, ?A\de JpAn^Thomp^ by her three children,
Joseph; MeldKie^pnd^
;perrika, Miay&h^nd Je^ ;: ,
■ ■ BE IT RES^^ED,:^ha\ ■ we^ithe ^ayor^and ^Members of the City .Council of the City of Chicc|^ ihe life' and-:;me
Jhbmpsoh dnd'extehd our.'hearlfeif cb^
presentedfo^th^fqryilly ^ T^ermcm Thompson as q sign of jbiir sympathy
•arid respect. [:'■[, - -v.-''"">:' ir.'~'A^'-\.''
MAYOR
CITY CLERK