OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
June 27, 2018
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Burke, Austin, O'Connor, Joe Moore and Osterman, a resolution honoring the life and memory of our former colleague Marion Volini.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
fi resolution
cdopud by Tlie Gity Qouncil ofthe Qity of Qkicago, Illinois
'Presented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel . on
Aldermen Edward M. Burke, Carrie M. Austin, Patrick J. O'Connor, Joe Moore, Harry Osterman, and
June 27, 2018
^QllGVBClS ' Tne Members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death ph'May 21, 2018, at age 83, of our former colleague, Alderman Marion Voiini of the 48th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Voiini was born on November,27, 1934 on Chicago's, sputh side to NAarion Mitchell and Edward 'Kennedy. She attended Maria High School, and later moved to the City's north.side to attend .and graduate from Mundelein College; and •
■'' ;■ i^ERjE^ five children^in 4f)e
• take\^o*^^lil)'^01 rjieigh^ politics, she.wprrjed^on
:GhidajgpiF^ ;: . ^ ::- :>/fv;
:^./';> WtfEREAS, Alder^_^ .to/her neighborhood, ,:dn;d .
:';cpll.q'jpdratid|^ ThisCouhoi! was' instrumental in /leading. 'efforts :tb ' upgrade • the Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods, which alt hat time were':known;;ps a deteriorated area; and.
. WHEREAS, Through her leadership and vigorous efforts, Alderman Volihi improved
the area, addressing ijssu'es. r§|ia'ted";;;t'p/the large transient population,;.unsjglleS/ox;
unemployed worker^ property owners, and vacant
storefronts; and : :
WHEREAS, Alderman Volihi-also took bh the many unlicensed and unregulated alcohol treatment clinics, as well as half-way houses for stafe-reieased patients of mental health, facilities, in order to improve the quality of life for residents throughout her neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Voiini also served her community as president of the Edgewater Community Council. Among her many accomplishments was the preservation of the Broadway Armory as a community recreation center; and
WHEREAS, With her reputation as a community leader firmly established, in 1978 Alderman Voiini ran for and won a special election to serve out the unexpired term of 48th Ward Alderman Dennis Block; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Voiini celebrated the broad diversity of the 48th Ward, finding great value in the wide range of housing types, ethnicities, and ages of its residents. She was an early proponent of the gay rights movement, and was a driving force in the creation of Edgewater as an official community area; and
WHEREAS, During her time as alderman, Alderman Voiini served under Chicago's first female mayor, Jane Byrne. Throughout her career she was dedicated to empowering more women to run for political office; and
. WHEREAS, Alderman Voiini also served under Chicago's first African American mayor, Harold Washington. Drawing upon her experience as a community organizer representing a very diverse population, Alderman Voiini gained national attention when she helped negotiate d compromise to a four-week stalemate between Mayor Washington and a.majority of alderman opposed to his'pblicies; and
WHEREAS, Alderman Voiini's efforts on this issue caused her to emerge as d leader
in the City Coyncil.vHcr motivation to assume a .leadership .role was her belief in the
: equal distribute ihdt hp, one.should be ^excluded fr'orrj the ;gbYernmental
process becqU^ \ \/.v'r-r -;;: : . • ./
... WHEREA^^ terrris'ih7pfficefocusedibrtppb\\c8afGtyj%.{fcftiC:
h'aUsin£,:^^ revitalize :Edgew4tef's^ •
Cld7k'S:tre^^ •; y
^]rY%j?E^S/-;^|tef I^ayfrig '<offi£g. in 1987, Aldermdh Voiini continued fo ijferve the
residents-of CjnBd^d-'.igs'-% mdypral appointee to the Metropolitan Pier and imposition
Authority, during vy.hiph ti^e^h^.wds^instrymental in helping to make improvements to
both. Navy "Pier and \ ;' ;'
. WHEREAS, ::Aldefrridn Voiini Was d strong -advocate for her constituents, and offered her colleagues on the City Council thoughtful consideration of often difficult and controversial matters. She had-an exceptional talent for finding the common ground between parties with differences, arid often had'friends on both sides of an issue. She had a warm, thoughtful and intelligent nature, a strong sense of fairness and d passion for justice, and.will always be remembered as an exemplary public servant of the residents of Chicago; and .
WHEREAS, Alderman Voiini, whose husband preceded her in death in 2001, is survived by her sons Michael and David; daughters Marion, Marcella, and Monica; and grandchildren Mary Claire, Nora, Tom, Joe, Matt, Ryan, Christian, Camille, Emily, and Michael; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we. the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-seventh day of June, 2018, do hereby honor the life and memory of Alderman Marion Voiini; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Alderman Marion Voiini as a token of our sympathy and esteem.
