SR0438 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0438 LRB104 15568 ECR 28734 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Nile W. Gossett, who passed away on May 5, 2025 at the age of 60; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett was born to Nile Edward Gossett and Essie Lee Todd on February 20, 1965; he was raised on the South Side of Chicago, where he attended Paul Cuffee Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett started working at his father's dry-cleaning business at age ten, and by age 12, he attended Chicago State University's gifted center while skipping seventh grade and graduating eighth grade as valedictorian; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett attended Chicago Vocational High School and then earned his bachelor's degree in business at the Illinois Institute of Technology; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett worked for the Wrigley Company, the Chicago Bulls, Inland Steel, McDonald's Corporation, and the Chicago Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett moved to Oak Park in 1999, where he met his future wife, Megan, and the two married a year later; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett worked in sales and marketing for Inland Steel Company in Chicago; after attending a diversity training class and discovering the subject was his passion, he transferred to Inland's training department and joined their diversity task force; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett launched his consulting business, Best Practices Training, and began conducting diversity training workshops for clients, including the Village of Oak Park, in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett also became involved with Project Unity, a community initiative founded in 1993 that brought together residents to foster interaction and socialization across racial backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett was impressed by what he observed and eventually assumed the role of president within Project Unity; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett, in a 2003 Chicago Tribune profile, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for connection; he saw himself as an ambassador for bringing people together, a sentiment echoed by Karin Grimes, co-founder of Project Unity, who described him as a natural leader; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett loved cooking, hosting gatherings, and sharing his passion for Motown music, always bringing energy and joy to every celebration; and

WHEREAS, Nile Gossett is survived by his wife, Megan; his children, Alexander Gossett and Precious Adrienne (Brendan) Lane; his grandchildren, Austin Lane, Olivia Lane, Ava Lane, and Chloe Lane; his sister, Lavisha Littleton; his brothers-in-law, Daveed (WaKisha) Allen and Moshe (Basia) Allen; his nieces and nephew, Kryston Stokes, Angenique Stokes, Makyia Allen, Layah Allen, and John Allen; his great-nephew, Nile Edward Kameron Gossett; his aunts, Esther Dantley, Oneida White, and Gloria Lyles; and many cousins, extended family members, and close friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Nile W. Gossett 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 Nile Gossett as an expression of our deepest sympathy.