resolution
adopted by The City Council
ofthe City of Chicago, Illinois
TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM "BILLY" I. HIGHTOWER. JR.
WHEREAS, in His infinite wisdom, almighty God has granted eternal peace to William "Billy" J. Hightower, Jr., a remarkable public servant and member of his community, on February 25,2022, after a more than three-decade career with the Chicago Police Department; and
WHEREAS Billy Hightower started life as the son of the late William J. Hightower Sr. and Corine Ford Hightower on January 20, 1949. He attended Hales Franciscan and Wendell Phillips High School. Upon graduation, Billy chose to follow his father's footsteps and became a Chicago Police Cadet at the age of 17, joining the force upon completing his training despite being accepted at many universities with full scholarships, the most notable of which was Notre Dame; and
WHEREAS Billy Hightower held many prestigious posts within the Chicago Police Department, serving as a Tactical Officer, a Dignitary Security Officer providing security for U.S. Congressman Gus Savage, a Gang Crimes Officer investigating gangs for drug sales as well as a Neighborhood Relations Officer fostering and developing a positive relationship between the public and the Chicago Police Department. During his tenure as a police officer, he would annually host a Holiday Party to raise money to provides toys, coats, and other necessities to the neediest of the West Side neighborhoods. Most notably, he . developed a computer lab program that provided computer access to children living in the Cabrini Green housing projects. In addition, he was active in service to his community as a member of the 27lh Ward Democratic Ward Organization where he organized an annual back-to-school parade; and
WHEREAS as a political activist, Billy Hightower worked with Congressman Gus Savage, Alderman Robert Shaw, and State Representative William Shaw. While working for Secretary of Slate Jesse White, he served as liaison between the Illinois Secreta...
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