SR0460 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0460 LRB103 34230 LAW 64055 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leslie Ann Walker Dixon, who passed away on September 4, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon, the daughter of Arthur DeWitt Walker Jr. and Dr. Jeanne Eugenia Marani Walker, was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on February 20, 1959; she earned her Bachelor of Science in Administrative Science and Psychology from Yale College and her Master of Business Administration in Finance from Rutgers University; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon dedicated her career to ensuring vulnerable and underserved populations had access to high-quality health care, serving as a leader in managed care for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon, when serving as Chief Executive Officer of IlliniCare, opened an 80,000-square-foot call center in impoverished Carbondale that employed 350 citizens; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon provided leadership to expand Medicaid statewide from 12 to 102 counties, resulting in more communities receiving free or low-cost healthcare coverage; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon spearheaded healthcare solutions that focused on the social determinants of health or an individual's unique circumstances that impact their health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon was responsible for leading efforts to expand healthcare coverage and the view of health disparities, especially among the vulnerable, and to innovate and deliver "whole health" solutions for underserved people, families, and communities in Illinois, Georgia, Indiana, and Ohio, making health care more equitable and accessible; and

WHEREAS, Leslie Walker Dixon's impact on the people around her, on business, and on the community spans far and wide, crossing the barriers of gender, race, culture, and socioeconomic status; she will be remembered for her commitment to supporting the health of our State's most vulnerable and underserved people and communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Leslie Ann Walker Dixon 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 Leslie Walker Dixon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.