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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CHESTER SLAUGHTER, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called Chester Slaughter from our midst; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was the beloved husband of Ruth (Willis); and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was the devoted father of Craig (Jennifer) and Justin (Catrena); and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was the dear son of Freida Williams; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was the loving grandfather of Russell; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was the devoted brother in law of John (Bertha) Willis Jr, Victor Willis, Leroy (Pamela) Willis Sr.; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was the proud uncle to many nieces and nephews; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter served a distinguished 46-year career as a trailblazing criminal defense attorney with the law firms of Howard, Mann & Slaughter, Smith & Sumner, Lyle & Slaughter, and Chester Slaughter & Associates; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter’s diverse career also included working within the government and public sectors, as he served in a supervisory role as a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney, a General Counsel for the Maywood Park District, and a hearing officer for the Cook County Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a devoted member of Saint Edmund Episcopal Church. He was involved in the Men’s Club and later became a board member of the Saint Edmund’s Redevelopment Corporation. He was instrumental in helping the organization’s community revitalization efforts to provide affordable housing in the Washington Park neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a past President of the Cook County Bar Association. His leadership helped support and protect the rights of the black community. He also launched the organization’s first job fair that aided the career development of young minority lawyers; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a long-standing board member of the John Howard Association, where he actively spear-headed initiatives to protect the rights of women prisoners; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a member of the Xi Lambda Chapter and Beta Omicron Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Chicago Assembly, Chicago Snow Gophers, the Chicago Chapter of the Tennessee State University Alumni Association, and as a founding parent of the Chicago South Swim Club; and
WHEREAS, all that knew him will attest that Chester Slaughter was a kind and compassionate man, virtuous of character and gentle in spirit, admired and respected to his many colleagues, friends, and neighbors, and dearly loved by his family; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Cook County that the Board does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Chester Slaughter and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to the family of Chester Slaughter so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.end