HR0550 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0550 LRB102 21369 LAW 30481 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Elise Ford Allen of Peoria, who passed away on November 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen was born on July 29, 1921; she was the daughter of Dr. Cecil Bruce Ford, Peoria's first African American dentist, and Florence Harrison Ford, a well-known seamstress; she married James O. Allen, an inventor and printing magnate, in 1939, and they raised ten children; she was a lifelong Peorian; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen was a well-known and beloved Peoria icon and a renowned civil rights activist; she made history when she founded The Traveler Weekly Newspaper in 1966, making her the first African American woman to publish and edit a newspaper in Illinois; through the newspaper, she pursued and provoked a positive dialogue for change for the disadvantaged in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen was honored with numerous awards and proclamations for her continuous service to the community and her selfless devotion to uplifting the quality of life for minorities and the less fortunate; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen was a longtime member of Heaven's View Christian Fellowship Church; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen's legacy will live on through The Traveler Weekly Newspaper, which continues to focus on the true principles of democracy and keeping it a living reality to all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen was preceded in death by her husband, James; her son, Matthew; her great-grandchild, Carol Irene; her sister, Florence Pickett; and her brothers, Bruce and Harrison Ford; and

WHEREAS, Elise Allen is survived by her children, James O. Allen Jr., Joy Stone, Angela (Homer) Henry, Barbara (Anthony) Randle, Tim (Patty) Allen, Carol Adams, Linda (Mark) Hollis, Gregory Allen, Janet Allen, and Norman Allen; her special family, Helen Margaret Jackson and Forrest Holcomb; her 38 grandchildren; her 46 great-grandchildren; her three great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and the dedicated writers of The Traveler Weekly Newspaper; 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 Elise Ford Allen 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 Elise Allen as an expression of our deepest sympathy.