HR1042 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1042 LRB102 30096 LAW 42311 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Shirley J. Newsome of Chicago, who passed away on December 25, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was born to Rev. Charlie Murray Sr. and Blancy Lillie Strong on August 15, 1945; she attended Marshall High School and Chicago Teachers College, now the Chicago State University College of Education; she was a resident of North Kenwood-Oakland in Chicago since 1979; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome worked as an executive and judicial assistant, legal secretary, and stenographer across various agencies for the U.S. Government for more than 45 years, including 33 years with the Federal Circuit Court system and 11 years with the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, before retiring in 2006; throughout her career, she received regular acknowledgments and awards for outstanding quality, special service, and length of service; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was a well-known North Kenwood-Oakland community leader and caretaker; she first became involved in her community through founding the Lake Park-Berkeley-Ellis-Drexel Block Club Association in 1981, which encompassed the area between Drexel Boulevard and the Lake and Pershing Road to 43rd Street; she was involved in the overall development and revitalization of the community area since 1988; she participated in the 80 planning meetings that led to the designation of North Kenwood-Oakland as a conservation area and served as co-chair of the Planning Committee; following designation by the Chicago City Council, she was appointed chairman of the North Kenwood-Oakland Community Conservation Council (NK-O CCC) in 1991; during her tenure, the NK-O CCC approved housing developments, from new condominiums to expanded parks to the reconfiguration of Oakwood Boulevard; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome joined the South East Chicago Commission (SECC) in 2006; she was appointed to the SECC Board in 2008 to lead efforts in housing, transportation, business development and retention, neighborhood improvement, and arts and culture; she served as president of the SECC Board for 11 years; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was appointed by then-Mayor Richard Daley to fill the interim alderman seat of the Fourth Ward left vacant by Toni Preckwinkle; she was unanimously approved by the City Council on January 13, 2011 and served until May 2011; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome belonged to several organizations, serving as board chairman of the Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), vice-chair of the University of Chicago Charter School, and vice-chair/commissioner of the Community Development Commission; she was a member of the Obama Presidential Library Community Advisory Council, the Fourth Ward Democratic Organization, and the Ida B. Wells Commemorative Art Committee; she also served as a member and community representative of several Chicago Housing Authority working groups and Chicago Park District advisory councils; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome committed to her faith at an early age, first attending the West Side New Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, where her father was pastor; she became a member of Monumental Baptist Church in 1979 and served in numerous leadership positions; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome's civic engagement and work was highlighted by several organizations; she received several community service awards from multiple organizations, including Business & Professional People for the Public Interest in 2002, Genesis Housing in 2005, and the Abraham Lincoln Centre in 2006; she also received the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's Community Heroes Award in 2009 and the Fourth Ward Democratic Organization's Leadership Award in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was a champion of Chicago and its diverse communities, guiding Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park, and Woodlawn with goodness, dignity, and truth; she will be remembered for her service and dedication to her community's development, history, and legacy; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Howard Newsome; her son, Glenn M. Murray; her sisters, Patricia Murray-Hymon and Stephanie James Murray; and her brother, Kim Murray; and

WHEREAS, Shirley Newsome is survived by her sister, Ruby J. Ruff; her brother, Rev. Charles Murray Jr.; her granddaughter, Naquitta Dent; her three great-grandchildren; other extended family; and her Monumental Baptist Church family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Shirley J. Newsome 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 Shirley Newsome as an expression of our deepest sympathy.