SR0968 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0968 LRB103 40476 LAW 72868 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George White, who passed away on April 22, 2024; and

WHEREAS, George White was born on November 9, 1954; and

WHEREAS, George White was a longtime member of Service Employees International Union Healthcare Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas (SEIU HCIIMK); he first joined the union while working at a nursing home; more recently, he continued to serve the union as a home care worker with Addus Healthcare, where he played an important role in bargaining committees to negotiate contracts for home care workers; and

WHEREAS, As a union leader for SEIU HCIIMK, George White was noted for his calm, levelheaded, and driven approach to bargaining, effectively winning historic raises and paid time off for thousands of home care workers across the State; he also served on the executive board, where he was instrumental in union-wide decisions that impacted approximately 90,000 health care and child care providers in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas; and

WHEREAS, George White was a longtime advocate for working class people and assisted in a number of campaigns, including the Fight for $15 movement, the Bring Home Chicago coalition and referendum, the Purple Brigade, and Senator Lakesia Collins' first race for a seat on the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020, helping to elect the first SEIU health care worker to public office; he also lent his talents towards serving Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; and

WHEREAS, George White was a believer and a supporter of racial and economic justice for the working class, and his faith motivated him as a leader; as such, he was committed to doing the work necessary, not just talking about it; and

WHEREAS, George White will be remembered as a frontline worker, leader, and mentor to all with whom he crossed paths and for his contributions to organized labor and toward building a better future for all; and

WHEREAS, George White is survived by his wife of 35 years, Linda Griffin White; his children, George Griffin, Damon White, Tina Bryant, Kim Yarbrough, and Geneva White; his nieces and nephews, Sharlita White, James Smith, Richard Smith, and Lutricia Smith; and a host of grandchildren; 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 George White 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 George White as an expression of our deepest sympathy.