Bill Text: IL SR0461 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Ernestine Jackson.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-10-26 - Resolution Adopted [SR0461 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0461-Introduced.html

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SR0461 LRB103 34228 LAW 64053 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Ernestine Jackson, who passed away on
September 6, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was born to Isaac Humes Sr. and
Mary (Washington) Humes in Benoit, Mississippi on June 23,
1940; she married Donald R. Jackson Sr. at the former St.
Patrick's Catholic Church in Peoria on January 21, 1961; and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was a force for equal
opportunity throughout Central Illinois for almost 50 years,
beginning her career in equal opportunity and affirmative
action at the University of Illinois in the late 1960s; while
civil rights activists were in the streets of Peoria, pushing
for equal opportunity in jobs, housing, and education, she
often found herself inside city hall, pushing to end
discriminatory practices; she was the first director of fair
employment and housing for the City of Peoria, assistant to
the city manager for Champaign, director of diversity for
CILCO, a personnel officer for the University of Illinois, and
human relations director for Bloomington; she last served as
the EEOC director for the City of Bloomington, retiring in
2015 at the age of 75; though her job titles changed from city
to city, her duties were always similar; her work meant

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countless others were hired, promoted, or awarded business
contracts; and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was active in many
organizations, including the Illinois Municipal Human
Relations Association, the Illinois Affirmative Action
Officers Association, and the Colored Ladies Book Club; she
served as an officer or member of several state and local
committees of the NAACP; she was elected to the board of Peoria
Public Schools District 150 in 2015, representing District 3;
and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was a founding member of
Liberty Church of Peoria; her lifelong love of singing led her
to join school and church choirs; she was a founding member of
the Heritage Ensemble; she was a 2023 honoree of the Peoria
Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta's annual Sisterhood and
Legends Celebration; and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was most proud of being a wife,
mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and
great-great-grandmother; and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson was preceded in death by her
parents; her mother-in-law, Kathlyn (Francis) Williams; her
brother, Robert Humes; and her sister, Geneva Jackson-Grant;

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and
WHEREAS, Ernestine Jackson is survived by her husband of
62 years, Donald R. Jackson Sr.; her sons, Donald Jackson Jr.,
Dale (Diane Linda) Jackson, and Deric (Hannah Puffer) Jackson;
her brothers, Issac (Delores) Humes Jr. and Richard (Gladys)
Humes; her sisters, Maggie Jenkins and Tracy (Eugene) Gathers;
her grandchildren, Desirae (Duane Simmons) Jackson, Mario
Jackson, Sofia Jackson, Lewyn Jackson, Tiffany (Dominique)
Hobbs, and Randy Jackson Jr.; 12 great-grandchildren; three
great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews,
family, and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Ernestine Jackson and extend our sincere condolences to her
family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Ernestine Jackson as an expression
of our deepest sympathy.