HR1542 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1542 LRB094 22097 KXB 60721 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize citizens of the State of Illinois who have worked to make Illinois a great place to live; and

WHEREAS, The Organization of the NorthEast (ONE) represents over 80 institutions serving the north side of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, These institutions comprise the leading churches, tenant organizations, banks, businesses, and not-for-profit and community-based organizations serving 300,000 citizens; and

WHEREAS, ONE is a leading voice of advocacy on issues of affordable housing, employment, welfare reform, youth policy relations, criminal justice, and education; and

WHEREAS, ONE strives to build and maintain successful mixed economic and multi-ethnic communities; and

WHEREAS, Sara Jane Knoy has served as the Executive Director of ONE for the last decade, building a reputation as a forceful policy advocate, effective organizer, and thoughtful builder of collaborations and community empowerment; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Sara Jane Knoy, ONE has been named Community Organization of the Year by the Woods, Weiboldt, New Prospects, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundations; and

WHEREAS, Sara Jane Knoy has made vast and long-lasting contributions to the residents of Uptown, Edgewater, Rogers Park, North Center, and Lincoln Square; and

WHEREAS, Sara Jane Knoy led efforts to improve the public safety in the Rogers Park community by spearheading the Ceasefire, anti-violence program; her leadership of this program and her efforts working with the Chicago Police Department, community leaders, elected officials, and Ceasefire outreach workers led to progress in reducing violence in the Rogers Park community; and

WHEREAS, Sara Jane Knoy believed deeply in investing in the youth of Chicago's northside communities and fought to ensure that they had additional educational and recreational programs; she was a key participant in the Rogers Park Yes summer jobs program, which helps employ over 250 youth; and

WHEREAS, Sara Jane Knoy will leave ONE and the City of Chicago in December to assume the role of lead organizer of the Granite State Organizing Project in New Hampshire; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to Sara Jane Knoy for making a lasting impact on the residents of the City of Chicago and wish her success in her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Sara Jane Knoy.