title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORY OF DR. ROBERT DONALDSON
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, has called Dr. Robert B. Donaldson from our midst on December 29, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Robert B. Donaldson, a Full Professor of Public Administration in the College of Business and Public administration at Governors State University and Director of the Master of Public administration Programs (MPA) and Master Thesis Projects, was a man on the mission; His Mission was to inspire his students, colleagues, neighbors and citizens of Hazel Crest, IL to become more intimately involved in the political processes that govern our collective lives; Esteemed by his peers and students, Dr. Donaldson was the recipient of the 2000 & 2002 Student Recognition Award; 1998 & 2002 Faculty Excellence Award; 1996 University Community Service Award from Governors State University;1995 & 1998 University Student Service Award; 1996 University Community Service Award; and
WHEREAS, Leading by example, Dr. Donaldson in addition to teaching, administrative duties, and Program Director of the MPA Program at Governors State University; served as a Senior Commissioner on the Public Building Commission (PBC) of Chicago where he oversaw the construction and renovation of myriad municipal facility with a total value of over $1 billion dollars; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donaldson made history in Illinois on March 1, 1983; He was named the first African American in the County of Cook (Illinois) to be appointed to the Public Building Commission of Chicago; Commissioner Donaldson served 30 years for the citizens of Cook County on the Public Building Commission; He served five terms and was appointed by former Presidents George W. Dunne, Richard Phelan, John Stroger, Jr. and Todd Stroger; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donaldson was Chairman and chief Executive Officer of Community Action Services, Inc. (CASI), a minority-owned, not-for-profit school bus transportation company; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donaldson was elected in April 1989-1993 as Village Trustee for the Village of Hazel Crest; He was appointed President Pro Tempore and was a member of the AD Hoc Committee on Boards and Commissions; In 1979 He became the first African American to be appointed to the Village of Hazel Crest’s Zoning Board of Appeals where he served for 10 year; and.
WHEREAS, Dr. Donaldson was elected Mayor Hazel Crest, IL on April 5, 2005; His Vision Party, which he founded, made history in Hazel Crest politics; Eighteen of the nineteen candidates won their seats; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donaldson served as Board Member of School District #228 (Bremen Township) in Midlothian, IL for four years and was Chairman of the Finance Committee, Personnel Committee and served on the Collective Bargaining Committee; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donaldson was a graduate of Florida A & M University, Roosevelt and Western Michigan Universities; his was an active and 2004 charter member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Chicago South Suburban Chapter ( Chi Lambda Lambda), Hazel Crest, Illinois; he was a member of numerous organizations including the American Society for Public Administration, National Association of Public Affairs and Administration, Conference of Minority Public Administrators, Illinois School Transportation, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association of Southern Cook County, and Southland Chamber of Commerce.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF COOK COUNTY, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Robert B. Donaldson and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Robert B. Donaldson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.
end