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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE SIGNING OF HOUSE BILL 4339 AND COMMEMORATING THE REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SR. YOUNG VOTER EMPOWERMENT DAY AND SOCIAL FAIR
WHEREAS, the right to vote is fundamental to our democracy, and the strength of our nation depends upon an informed, engaged, and empowered electorate; and
WHEREAS, young people ages 18-24-particularly those from Black, Brown, underserved, and historically underrepresented communities-must be provided meaningful opportunities to understand their civic responsibilities, register to vote, and participate in the democratic process; and
WHEREAS, throughout his extraordinary life of service, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. worked tirelessly to expand voting rights, protect equal access to the ballot, empower marginalized communities, and inspire generations of young people to become active participants in our democracy; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Jackson has long and emphatically expressed the vision that every graduating senior should leave high school with a diploma in one hand and a voter-registration card in the other, affirming that civic empowerment must be an essential part of preparing young people for adulthood; and
WHEREAS, this vision inspired the advancement of Senate Bill 1786 and House Bill 4339 through the Illinois General Assembly, with State Senator Robert Peters championing the measure in the Illinois Senate and State Representative Kimberly Du Buclet leading its passage in the Illinois House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 4339 was enacted as the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, requiring, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, school districts serving students in grades nine through twelve to provide every eligible graduating high school student with an opportunity to register to vote; and
WHEREAS, on July 10, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 4339 into law as Public Act 104-0549, transforming Reverend Jackson’s vision into a statewide commitment to youth civic engagement and voter empowerment; and
WHEREAS, this historic achievement reflects the leadership and advocacy of Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps, Dr. Jo Ann Roberts - Chair Of Coalition SB1786 and HB 4339, the SB1786 and HB4339 Coalition, students, educators, voting-rights advocates, community organizations, elected officials, and civic leaders throughout Illinois; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2026, more than 800 young people gathered on the grounds of the National Headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition for the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Day and Social Fair; and
WHEREAS, the gathering brought together students, educators, elected officials, community leaders, faith leaders, civic organizations, and voter-engagement partners to register eligible students, provide civic education and resources, and empower the next generation of voters; and
WHEREAS, the September 10, 2026 celebration demonstrated that young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, but essential voices in the decisions affecting their schools, neighborhoods, communities, state, and nation today; and
WHEREAS, the passage and signing of House Bill 4339 and the successful Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Day and Social Fair represent a historic step toward ensuring that every eligible young person has a seat at the table and an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby honor the signing of House Bill 4339, now Public Act 104-0549, and commemorate the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Day and Social Fair held on September 10, 2026, at the National Headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes the enduring legacy of the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and honors his lifelong commitment to voting rights, civic participation, social justice, and the empowerment of young people; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners commends Dr. Jo Ann Roberts - Chair of Coalition, Senator Robert Peters, Representative Kimberly Du Buclet, the SB1786 and HB 4339 Coalition, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and every student, educator, volunteer, organization, and community partner whose leadership helped transform this vision into law and action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners encourages schools, families, faith institutions, civic organizations, and communities throughout Cook County to continue educating and empowering young voters so that the promise of democracy may be realized by every generation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Family, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the SB1786 and HB4339 Coalition as an expression of the Cook County Board of Commissioners’ appreciation, recognition, and respect.
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