HR0438LRB102 19953 ECR 28732 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert
4Shaw of Chicago, who passed away on July 22, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw was born to McKinley and Gertrude
6Shaw in Hope, Arkansas on July 31, 1937; during his early
7childhood, he and his family relocated to the West Side of
8Chicago where he attended Brown Elementary School and Crane
9High School; he married Margie Shaw, and they had two sons; he
10was married to Wilmer Shaw at the time of his passing; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw had a 60 year plus career in state,
12county, and city government; along his career path, he was an
13executive with the Illinois Department of Labor, an inspector
14general for the Village of Dolton, and a commissioner of the
15Cook County Board of Review; as a commissioner, he was held in
16high regard for assisting unfairly assessed property owners in
17obtaining tax reductions; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw served as an alderman/committeeman in
19the 9th Ward for 20 years; over 100 ordinances were entered
20into the city records as a result of his efforts and work with
21fellow councilpersons; through his push for fairness and
22equity, he is credited with numerous upward mobility

 

 

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1opportunities for Black businesses at O'Hare and Midway
2Airports; and
 
3    WHEREAS, At age 17, Robert Shaw became a precinct captain
4under the late Ben Lewis, the first Black Alderman of the 24th
5Ward; he and his twin brother William were influential in
6supporting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s fair housing
7initiative for West Side residents; he and William helped
8support and launch the careers of many, including more than 60
9judges; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw sponsored the 9th Ward's Annual Back
11to School Parade and Picnic, Thanksgiving and Christmas basket
12give-a-ways, and holiday dinners for senior residents; he made
13numerous donations to various block club activities; he and
14William established a bowling league, which fostered the
15importance of fellowship; and
 
16    WHEREAS, For a number of years, Robert Shaw hosted a radio
17show on WVON where he and guests gave their opinions on local
18and national issues; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Until a few years ago, Robert Shaw was an avid
20golfer who sponsored and attended numerous golf outings; his
21culinary expertise was known to many; he was out-spoken,
22charismatic, and jovial and always dressed in a suit; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw committed to his faith at an early
2age, and at his passing, he was a member of the Logos Baptist
3Assembly; he deeply believed that political activism would
4help create a better community, and he believed everyone could
5make a positive contribution; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw was preceded in death by his parents;
7his brothers, Paul, Gene, Charles, and William; and his
8children, Herbert, Dexter, John, and Debra; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Robert Shaw is survived by his wife, Wilmer Shaw;
10his daughters, Lolita (Theodore) Cleveland and Kristen Shaw;
11his sons, Chad Hill and Brandon Roberts; his surrogate son,
12Jason Rodriguez; his godson, Justice Nathaniel Howse Jr.; his
13grandchildren, Aunalicia Lockhart, Apollo Shaw, Adonnis Shaw,
14Arasmus Shaw, Kayla (Gregory) Herot, Theodore Cleveland III,
15Terrence Cleveland, Travis Cleveland, Thirzel Cleveland, and
16Jamila Cleveland; his sister, Bobbie Brown; his
17sisters-in-law, Shirley Shaw and Deborah Green; his nineteen
18great-grandchildren; his host of great-great-grandchildren;
19his special nephew, Victor Andre Shaw; his other relatives;
20his friends; and his former 9th Ward chief of staff and Cook
21County Board of Review chief of staff and long-time pal,
22William "Bill" Lockhart; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3we mourn the passing of Robert Shaw and extend our sincere
4condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
5him; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Robert Shaw as an expression of our
8deepest sympathy.