SR1296 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1296 LRB100 17058 ALS 32209 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Herbert Lee Hedgeman, who passed away on December 29, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Herbert Hedgeman was born in Chicago to Fannie Mae Hedgeman Lafayette on November 7, 1928; he attended Chicago Public Schools; he exhibited a strong entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic at the age of six and began his own shoeshine business; he briefly attended Mosley High School before joining the United States Army at the age of 16 and served in World War II; after the war ended, he remained in Germany, where he became fluent in the language and played the saxophone; upon his return, he attended Wilberforce University, where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi in 1954; he married Tricka Harris in 1971; and

WHEREAS, Herbert Hedgeman worked a number of jobs after his college graduation, including as a caseworker for the Cook County Department of Public Aid; the Rubloff Real Estate Company hired him as their first African American realtor after his success with building homes and integrating several neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, Herbert Hedgeman purchased the Sportsman Inn Motel in 1973 and during its renovations, received approval to build a 92-unit building to house veterans; during his more than 50 years in business, he purchased numerous properties in Illinois, Michigan, and Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Herbert Hedgeman established the Herbert Hedgeman Foundation, which helped Wilberforce University students earning a "C" average; he sponsored the WVON's "Bob Shaw" show, and he gave many African Americans advice on how to go into business and sustain success; and

WHEREAS, Herbert Hedgeman was preceded in death by his wife, Tricka; and

WHEREAS, Herbert Hedgeman is survived by his son, Kenneth Hedgeman; his daughters, Denita Hedgeman, Kori Scurlock, TK Karadzovski, and Cici Foster (Kevin); his grandchildren, Avante and Dante Hedgeman, and Diamond and Imani Foster; his great-granddaughter, Ayanna Hedgeman; and many other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Herbert Lee Hedgeman and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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