HR0265 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0265 LRB096 12271 GRL 25074 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Elonzo W. "Lonnie" Hill of Country Club Hills, who passed away on February 18, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Elonzo Hill grew up in Bronzeville and graduated from Tilden High School; his father was a plumber and Mr. Hill worked by his side from a young age, climbing into boilers to scrub them out; and

WHEREAS, Elonzo Hill began driving buses in 1961, staying behind the wheel for eight years; he then worked his way up through supervisory positions; during his tenure as training center superintendent, the CTA set record-low crash rates; and

WHEREAS, From 1986 to 1998, Elonzo Hill served on the CTA's Retirement Allowance Committee, serving six years as chairman and overseeing $2 billion in pension funds; and

WHEREAS, Elonzo Hill served as executive vice president of service delivery from 1991 to 1997, when he retired; as executive vice president, he played key roles in the reconstruction of the Green Line and the opening of the Orange Line to Midway Airport; and

WHEREAS, Elonzo Hill was named to the Metra board in 2003 by suburban Cook County Board members and was reappointed last year by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger; he was elected vice chairman of Metra in 2006 and 2008; and

WHEREAS, Elonzo Hill was on several committees with the American Public Transportation Association and, in the late 1980s, chaired the International Bus Roadeo committee; and

WHEREAS, Elonzo Hill also is survived by his third wife, Barbara; his daughters, Constance, Pamela Lee, Joanne Hayden, Patricia Jackson, Maria Hill, and Helena Hill; his stepsons, Carl and Michael Hampton; his brother, Edwin; his sisters, Lavonne Campbell and Cynthia Hill; and his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Elonzo W. "Lonnie" Hill; and be it further

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