SR1285 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1285 LRB098 21702 GRL 60554 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Deanes; and

WHEREAS, James Deanes was employed with the Chicago Public School system for almost 20 years in roles that included special assistant to the President of the Chicago Board of Education; he retired from CPS in 2013 as senior policy adviser for Local School Council relations; and

WHEREAS, James Deanes was a driving force behind the school reform movement that created the Local School Council model still largely in use today; he was appointed in 1987 by the late Mayor Harold Washington to lead the Parent Community Council, which helped persuade Illinois lawmakers to pass legislation creating the LSCs, giving parents more of a role in their children's education; and

WHEREAS, James Deanes was an active member of his community; he started youth baseball teams in the Austin neighborhood, led anti-drug marches on Saturday nights, and served on PTAs, councils, and other school organizations; and

WHEREAS, James Deanes was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; and

WHEREAS, James Deanes is survived by his children, Kenya, Corey, James, Malcolm, and Denna; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of James Deanes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James Deanes as an expression of our sympathy.