Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0052

HR0052 LRB104 09608 MST 19673 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former State Representative Charles E. Jefferson, who served the 67th District with distinction from April 2001 until his retirement on July 1, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was born on March 31, 1945 in Waco, Texas to Lee Sr. and Victoria Jefferson; he is survived by nine siblings; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was drafted into the United States Army at the age of 20, where he served honorably for six years and achieved the rank of sergeant in the military police; he was stationed in Japan for four years and met his wife, Genell, while both were serving in the army; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson and his wife settled in Rockford in the early 1970s after their military service, where they built a life together and raised their three sons, Carl Edward, Curtis Lamar, and Charles Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson worked primarily as a car salesman for many years, where his friendly demeanor and dedication to service earned him great respect in the community; he was also active on several local boards and committees, contributing his leadership and insight to improve the Rockford area; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was an active and devoted member of Providence Baptist Church on Rockford's south side, where he found spiritual fulfillment and remained a pillar of the congregation; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson entered public service by running for a seat on the Winnebago County Board, challenging the brother of then-State Representative Zeke Giorgi and securing a victory; his service on the county board, where he chaired the Public Works Committee, marked the beginning of a distinguished career in government; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson served as assistant majority leader and was a member of several key committees during his time in the Illinois General Assembly, including Public Utilities, Labor, Aging, Prison Reform, Gaming, Juvenile Justice Reform, Tollway Oversight, and the Committee of the Whole; his commitment to public service was further exemplified through his leadership as majority conference chairperson; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was a strong advocate for his community; he worked to ensure that a new judicial circuit was created to increase minority representation on the bench; he brought capital construction projects to his district to create local jobs and repair Rockford's infrastructure and roadways; he spearheaded a funding project to provide passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson tirelessly advocated for the rights of veterans and seniors, worked to ensure Rockford schools received their fair share, and was an unrelenting activist for public safety, supporting initiatives to combat gang violence and protect programs such as CeaseFire and the Booker Washington Center; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson's dedication to his community extended beyond legislation; he maintained a professional and responsive constituent service office, hosted an annual Mother's Day luncheon to honor local mothers, and raised funds for local food pantries; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson, in recognition of his enduring impact, was honored by the Booker Washington Center by dedicating the Chuck Jefferson Library of African American History and Culture in 2018, a testament to his commitment to education and the preservation of African American heritage; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was known throughout the Rockford area and the Illinois House of Representatives for his warm and approachable nature, his wisdom and genuine understanding, and his care for the concerns of Illinois and his community; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson's legacy continues to inspire future generations, exemplifying the profound difference one dedicated individual can make in the lives of others; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former State Representative Charles E. Jefferson and honor him for his years of dedicated service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Rep. Jefferson as an expression of our respect and esteem for his life and legacy.