HR0973 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0973 LRB103 43602 LAW 76944 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Rise Dawn Jones, Ph.D. of Elgin, who passed away on December 7, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones, a lifelong resident of Elgin, was born to Drs. Charles and Ann Jones; she attended Larkin High School in Elgin, where she sang in the chorus; she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois, her master's degree in Public Management and Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and her Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Illinois in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was an entrepreneur, a consultant, a civic and community leader, a tireless advocate for children in underserved communities, a fighter for racial and social justice, and a singer with a powerful voice; after earning her Ph.D., she started a consulting business, Evaluation Solutions, Inc., which was focused on areas she considered important, such as violence prevention, public health, and school policy; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones played an active role at Elgin Community College (ECC) from high school until her passing; she taught music at ECC and served on its board from 2012 to 2013; she co-founded Hamilton Wings, an in-residence ensemble of ECC that provides numerous after-school programs for socially and economically underserved children, to honor her father, whose middle name was Hamilton, in 1996; her group became best known for creating Students Creating Opera to Reinforce Education (SCORE!), a program that gives students aged 10 to 13 the opportunity to learn how to write and stage their own operas, which are performed annually at ECC; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was active in the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board of directors since 2022, and she was planning to run for another three-year term; she also served as a board member of the Elgin YWCA for six years, developed the Y Walk fundraiser, and was involved with youth and women's leadership programs; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was known for her rich, operatic voice, and she sang extensively for local service groups, charitable organizations, and nonprofits, often for little or no pay; she produced programs with themes of inclusion and social and racial justice, and she covered a range of songs, from Broadway show tunes to traditional African American art songs; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones received numerous accolades during her lifetime, including the Margaret Hillis Award in 2013, the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce's 2024 Volunteer of the Year, and the declaration of January 4, 2025 as Rise Jones Day by the Elgin City Council; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Jones was a beloved family member, friend, colleague, mentor, and advocate for young people in the arts; she touched countless lives with her infectious joy, her unwavering dedication, and her remarkable ability to foster collaboration and creativity within her community; she will be remembered for making a lasting impact on the Elgin community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Rise Dawn Jones, Ph.D. 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 Dr. Jones as an expression of our deepest sympathy.