SR0412 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0412 LRB103 33317 LAW 63127 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ruby Lofton of Bolingbrook; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Lofton became civically engaged at the age of 15 in her native Mississippi, knocking on doors to motivate people to vote; she earned a degree from Mississippi Valley State University and her midwife license from the University of Mississippi Medical School; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Lofton was a stalwart member of the Democratic Party, having served as the first and second vice chair of the Will County Democratic Central Committee and DuPage Township, an executive board member of the Illinois Democratic Women of Will County, a founding member of the Will County Democratic Black Caucus, and an elected precinct committeeperson for decades; and

WHEREAS, While in Chicago, Ruby Lofton worked and volunteered in various capacities, including organizing community members to run for public office as she served as executive director of the Organization for a Better Austin, volunteering in Chicago schools as a PTA organizer, serving as director of the Human Needs Center, acting as chairman of the Blue-Ribbon Charity Committee with the International Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, and working with Congressman Danny Davis on his annual back-to-school parade and picnic and his annual Christmas dinner for seniors; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Lofton was actively involved in the Bolingbrook community, where she became a resident in 1993; she was a member of the Bolingbrook Chamber of Commerce and the Bolingbrook Crime Stoppers, and she also served as a board member of the State of Illinois Crime Stoppers; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Lofton was presented with the National Unsung Hero's Award in Washington, D.C. in recognition of her 20 years of volunteerism and was honored by Channel 2 News, CBS Chicago, with its Someone You Should Know award; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Lofton will be remembered for devoting herself to making her communities safer, stronger, and more inclusive; and

WHEREAS, Ruby Lofton was the wife of the late John Lofton, the mother of two children, and a good friend to many; 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 Ruby Lofton 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 Ruby Lofton as an expression of our deepest sympathy.