HR0155 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0155 LRB103 31114 ECR 57782 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives wish to recognize former Alderperson Michele Smith of the 43rd Ward on the occasion of her retirement from the Chicago City Council on August 12, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Upon her graduation from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1976, Michele Smith moved to Chicago to begin law school at the University of Chicago Law School; and

WHEREAS, Upon her graduation from the University of Chicago Law School in 1979, Michele Smith clerked for Judge William J. Bauer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit for two years; and

WHEREAS, Michele Smith began her legal career in Chicago in the U.S. Attorney's Office, where she prosecuted over 400 narcotics, white-collar criminal, and political corruption cases; and

WHEREAS, Michele Smith spent the next 16 years at Navistar International Corporation, where she became general counsel for a $2.5 billion subsidiary, the Engine Group; and

WHEREAS, Michele Smith was initially elected as alderperson of the 43rd Ward in 2011; she was reelected by her constituents for additional terms in 2015 and 2019; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure, Michele Smith placed a premium on grassroots community engagement and providing direct services to her constituents; and

WHEREAS, Michele Smith advocated for and succeeded in obtaining infrastructure improvements and increased public safety resources for her community and constituents; she also worked to secure funds to expand and improve the schools and parks in the 43rd Ward; and

WHEREAS, Michele Smith chaired the City Council's Committee on Ethics and Governmental Operations, where she worked to make Chicago more equitable and transparent, including spearheading a series of governmental ethics reform ordinances; and

WHEREAS, Michele Smith has lived in the 43rd Ward for over 40 years, raising her daughter and remaining active in the community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize former Alderperson Michele Smith on her retirement, thank her for her exemplary service to the residents of the 43rd Ward and the City of Chicago, and wish for her continued health, happiness, prosperity, and success; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Michele Smith as an expression of our esteem and respect.