title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE CAROL AMMONS
WHEREAS, Carol Ammons has faithfully served the people of Illinois’ 103rd District since her election to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2014, rising to become one of the state’s most impactful and visionary lawmakers; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ammons has held numerous leadership roles throughout her tenure, including serving as Joint Chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, a founding member of the Illinois Progressive Caucus, Chair of the Small Business, Tech and Entrepreneurship Committee, and Chairwoman of the Energy and Environment Committee; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ammons has been a leading champion for criminal justice reform, environmental protection, economic equity, and educational access, consistently working to build systems that serve everyday people, not just the powerful; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ammons played a central role in historic statewide reforms, including Illinois becoming the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail, the legalization of marijuana, the decriminalization of HIV/AIDS, and the protection of essential natural resources such as the Mahomet Aquifer from the harmful impacts of corporate pollution; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ammons led the introduction of HR906, the We Charge Genocide Resolution, urging the United Nations to address the historic and ongoing harms inflicted upon Black communities in the United States, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to human rights and global justice; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ammons created and championed HR453, the DNA Pilot Project, offering free DNA testing to African Americans in Illinois whose lineage was severed through enslavement, and has been a steadfast advocate for the return of the Benin Bronzes to the people of the Benin Kingdom; and
WHEREAS, Representative Ammons’ lifetime of public service has been recognized through numerous awards, including the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Joe Biden, the Color of Change Thurgood Marshall Award for Public Service, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Legislative Leadership Award, and the National Shining Star Award from the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Representative Ammons was crowned by King Tamakloe of the Anlo Kingdom of Ghana as the first African American Queen Mother of the Volta Region, receiving the ancestral name Aguadze, a recognition of her profound work in reparatory justice and her leadership within the global African diaspora; and
WHEREAS, prior to her service in the Illinois General Assembly, Representative Ammons served on the Urbana City Council and the Champaign County Board, and spent many years as a community organizer and advocate through the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, Courage Connection, and numerous grassroots organizations; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County and the Office of 13th District Commissioner Josina Morita, does hereby honor and celebrate the extraordinary leadership, vision, and public service of State Representative Carol Ammons, whose transformative contributions have strengthened communities across Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to State Representative Carol Ammons as a symbol of our deepest respect, appreciation, and admiration.
.
end