SR0536 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0536 LRB100 12883 MST 26667 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Officer Stevenson "Steve" Jones of Elgin, who passed away on May 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones was born on June 13, 1957; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones was a veteran of the Elgin Police Department and a school resource officer at Kimball Middle School; he worked for 28 years making Elgin a better place to live; he was well known throughout Elgin, where he spent his entire career after being hired in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones worked patrol for many years and was a member of the department's drug unit and the multijurisdictional North Central Narcotics Task Force; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones ran a mentoring program for kids, connecting them with people he knew in the community; he helped organize the "community conversations" series held between police and residents at Second Baptist Church of Elgin; he is one of the founding members of the Northern Illinois Chapter of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives; he was most recently honored with the Life Time Membership from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement (N.O.B.L.E.); and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones earned 16 letters of appreciation, a department commendation in 1995, and distinguished service awards in 2010 and 2015; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones enjoyed sports and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears; he recently organized a visit at Kimball Middle School by Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, the former Chicago Bears Running back; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jones became very popular among the students and staff at Kimball Middle School in Elgin; many of the students described him as amazing, legendary, and some even said he was a father figure to them; he was very approachable and took many of the younger officers under his wing sharing many of his life experience; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Officer Stevenson "Steve" Jones, 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 Officer Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.