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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MRS. LILLIAN DRUMMOND UPON HER 100TH BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, Lillian Drummond, a beacon of light and longtime resident of the Austin Community, is a living example to all for her dedication, sacrifice and advocacy; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond, was instrumental in the creation of the Austin Satellite Senior Center, a founding leader of the South Austin Coalition Community Council (SACCC); and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond through her tireless advocacy and leadership with SACCC, assisted the Austin community on several issues, including healthcare, labor, the environment, housing, education, and safety. SACCC has been a strong proponent of citizen involvement in the Austin Community; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond has been a loud voice for utility assistance for families and has faced down powerful mayors and a president to fight for the plights of senior citizens and low-income families struggling to pay their energy bills; and,
WHEREAS, one of Mrs. Drummond’s signature achievements was to organize the Affordable Budget Coalition in 1985. The Coalition worked successfully to enact the 12% Energy Assistance Plan, which made heating and lighting available to low-income families; and,
WHEREAS, a strong focus of SACCC has been low income issues related to utilities and energy usage, an area of public policy on which Ms. Lillian Drummond has been especially active and effective; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond has fortified numerous relationships with all levels of government city, county, state and federal officials
WHEREAS, Ms. Drummond famously approached former President Bill Clinton during an appearance by the President in Chicago in 1994, in order to personally register her concerns regarding proposed cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Drummond’s advocacy was instrumental in the successful passage of the Percentage of Income Payment Plan in 2009. Under that legislation, low-income individuals are allowed to pay only 6% of their income for energy and reconnection, and to continue to stay connected as long as they pay 6% of their income.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond also helped to ensure that the Community and Economic Development Association supervised the funding of the Percentage of Income Payment Plan; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond has been honored by many organizations, including the 2006 Edward Bailey Lifetime Community Service Act, the Illinois Senior Citizen Hall of Fame Award, and an honorary street designation by the City of Chicago; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond, has provided influence, evoked change and her advocacy efforts have reached far beyond her Congress Parkway home; and,
WHEREAS, Mrs. Drummond to this day continues her battle to better her community; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, does hereby thank Mrs. Lillian Drummond for the important and commendable work on behalf of our County and wishes her many blessings on her birthday; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be tendered to Mrs. Drummond, as a token of the esteem in which she is held by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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