HR0347 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0347 LRB097 11861 KXB 55275 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize State Representative William Burns for his service and hard work on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns was raised in Warrensville Heights, an inner-ring suburb of Cleveland, Ohio; he moved to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees; in 2001 he was named an American Marshall Memorial Fellow of the German Marshall Fund of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns served as Education and Tax Policy Manager for the Metropolitan Planning Council, where he organized a statewide education funding reform coalition and directed its legislative and communication campaign; he later joined the Chicago Urban League, serving as Vice President of Program and Field Offices, where he spearheaded the League's voting rights and redistricting efforts, managed the day-to-day programmatic activities, and coordinated the League's public policy initiatives; and

WHEREAS, After concluding his service with the Chicago Urban League, Representative Burns joined the staff of Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., working his way up to Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor; he developed legislation on issues including criminal justice, consumer protection, education, minority business development, and ethics reform; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns played a role in the early public service career of former State Senator and now President of the United States Barack Obama, serving as a volunteer on President Obama's first State Senate campaign and as Deputy Campaign Manager for Obama for Congress 2000; his experience as a political organizer also includes service as a campaign coordinator for the Democratic Party of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns was elected to the House of Representatives in 2008 and he is currently serving his second term; although Representative Burns' tenure with the Illinois House of Representatives has been short, his hard work and dedication have been invaluable to his constituents and to all the people of Illinois; he has developed a reputation as a hardworking, ethical, thoughtful, and intelligent legislator who puts the needs of the people first; and

WHEREAS, Government reforms have been a hallmark of Representative Burns' legislative agenda, as he sponsored measures to reform the State's procurement code, pensions, campaign finance laws, and Freedom of Information Act, thus improving government transparency and accountability; and

WHEREAS, In his efforts to help eliminate gun violence, Representative Burns has pushed for tougher laws on gun ownership, purchasing and transfers, limitations on the types of weapons that should be allowed for sale, and laws to help stop gun trafficking and illegal straw purchasing; he has championed additional funding for anti-violence and after-school programs that help provide alternatives to crime and violence; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns believes that in order for young people to compete in a global economy, they must have a quality education; he sponsored legislation to improve Illinois' education system, including measures to provide additional funding for local schools, reduced class sizes, and improved early education programs; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns maintains a strong commitment to social justice and civic engagement; he has served on the boards of non-profit organizations, including the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, Mikva Challenge, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, the Blue Gargoyle Youth Service Center, and the South East Chicago Commission; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns is devoted to his wife, Robin, and to their daughter, Athena; and

WHEREAS, Representative Burns was recently elected Alderman of Chicago's 4th Ward, a role that will allow him to continue to advocate for the people; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Representative Will Burns on his ascension to the Chicago City Council after his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives; we wish him the best as he begins his new journey of public service; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Representative Burns as a symbol of our respect and esteem.