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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF JESSICA FELDMAN, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Jessica T. Feldman, an advocate that improved the lives of Evanstonians for 60 years, passed away at home at the Mather on June 3, 2020, at the age of 88. She was diagnosed with cancer in late December; and
WHEREAS, Jessica was born and raised in Goshen, Indiana, attended Indiana University, majoring in journalism and pledged Sigma Delta Tau; and
WHEREAS, soon after moving to Evanston in 1959, Jessica applied her exceptional energy to local election politics, working for Victor Gotbaum as he ran for the Evanston City Council; and
WHEREAS, Jessica marched for fair housing in a demonstration led by Martin Luther King, Jr., strongly defended the embattled Superintendent of District 65 who brought about district-wide desegregation, and worked as an election judge for decades; and
WHEREAS, Jessica fought so that everyone in Evanston, especially children, had dignity and a chance to succeed in life. She led local PTAs, first at Dewey School, then at Nichols, and then as the leader of all the Evanston PTA presidents. She also worked for years, and eventually led, the Evanston School Children’s Clothing Association (ESCCA), providing shoes and clothing to school children throughout Evanston; and
WHEREAS, after working at the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard, she served on the City of Chicago’s team that negotiated the long-term contract with Commonwealth Edison. From there, she took a job with the newly-created Chicago Department of Environment, the first of its kind for an American city. She rose to the position of “Deputy” before retiring to her beloved volunteer jobs in Evanston. She ended her work for North Shore Village just a few months ago. North Shore Village is part of a nationwide network of “villages” providing social and educational opportunities for older adults to age in place and remain active and involved in the community; and
WHEREAS, Jessica was the youngest of two children to Louis and Liuba Tenofsky; her sister, Jean May passed away in 2015. She is survived by four children from her marriage to Daniel Feldman: Stephanie (and Andy Orrock) of Dallas, Texas; Susan (and Alan Fitzthum), of Olympia, Washington; Yitzchok (and Ellen) of Palo Alto, California; and Valerie (and Jay Wisham) of Sacramento, California. She has 14 grandchildren, of whom four are married, and ten great-grandchildren.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, commemorates the life of JESSICA FELDMAN and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the years of service she gave to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of JESSICA FELDMAN.
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