Bill Text: IL SR2291 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Mourns the death of Lionel J. Gindorf.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-09 - Resolution Adopted [SR2291 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR2291-Introduced.html


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SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Lionel J. Gindorf, who passed away on
4December 5, 2018 at the age of 94; and
5 WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was born on August 23, 1924 and
6grew up on the Near West Side and near Midway Airport during
7the Great Depression; at six foot three, he was known to most
8as "Tiny" and lived an extraordinary life; and
9 WHEREAS, During World War II, Lionel Gindorf serviced B-16
10bombers on the island of Guam in the Pacific; after the war, he
11returned to Chicago and began his career as a building engineer
12downtown; he joined Local 399 of the International Union of
13Operating Engineers (IUOE) in 1946; and
14 WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf quickly rose through the ranks at
15Local 399 and earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator and
16"someone to go to for advice you could count on or if you
17wanted to get a foot in the door"; In 1956, he became a member
18of the local's executive board and business agent; he was named
19financial secretary and assistant to the business manager in
201977; in 1980, he was elected business manager; and
21 WHEREAS, During his tenure at Local 399, Lionel Gindorf

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1oversaw dramatic changes in the craft of operating engineer; in
21960, drastic revisions were made to the local's training
3program to accommodate advancements in technology; thus,
4computer training was initiated and later tied in with a
5two-year program, which was developed by the IUOE and a Chicago
6community college and open to all incoming union members; and
7 WHEREAS, In 1994, Lionel Gindorf retired from Local 399,
8and in his speech, he expressed that for 48 years he "lived and
9breathed" the union; according to his daughter, "There are no
10words to capture his real accomplishment and the extent of his
11influence, which created livelihoods and guaranteed success
12for generations of families"; she further noted that "he gave a
13million favors and never asked for one in return, as he
14considered it his job to take care of people"; and
15 WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was preceded in death by his wife
16of 68 years, Anne Gindorf; and
17 WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf is survived by his children, Merry
18(the late Phil) Nicholson and Jeffrey (Andrea) Gindorf; his
19grandchildren, Christine Nicholson, John Nicholson, Joie
20Gindorf, and Jamie Gindorf; his many nieces and nephews; and
21the numerous people he mentored; therefore, be it
22 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL

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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
2Lionel J. Gindorf and extend our sincere condolences to his
3family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
4further
5 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Lionel Gindorf as an expression of
7our deepest sympathy.
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