HR0062 LRB099 04341 GRL 26953 r
1		HOUSE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3		Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert
4		"Bob" Gilliam of Elgin, who passed away on December 30, 2014;
5		and
6		WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam graduated from Elgin High School in
7		1963; and
8		WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam worked for the Elgin Area School
9		District U-46 for 34 years in a variety of capacities,
10		including teacher, dean of students, and assistant
11		superintendent; he retired in 2002; and
12		WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam was the City of Elgin's first
13		African-American council member and the longest-serving member
14		in its history, serving for 40 years from 1973 to 2013; he is
15		believed to be the longest-serving City Councilman in Illinois
16		outside of Chicago; he also served as Commissioner of The
17		Housing Authority of Elgin for 25 years from 1988 to 2013; he
18		helped guide Elgin through the difficult decades of the 1970s
19		and 1980s and into a period of growth and revitalization; as
20		City Councilman, he showed political courage by supporting the
21		construction of the Riverside Water Treatment Plant, allowing
22		Elgin to become independent from relying on Chicago for its

HR0062 - 2 - LRB099 04341 GRL 26953 r
1		water supply; the new treatment plant utilized the Fox River
2		for Elgin's water, allowing the city to attract new businesses
3		and development, while providing clean, reliable water to its
4		residents; and
5		WHEREAS, In September of 2014, Elgin renamed the municipal
6		building The Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex in his honor; and
7		WHEREAS, Robert Gilliam is survived by his wife of 28
8		years, Marianne; his 2 children, Soynia and Tony; his brother,
9		Joseph; his sister, Valerie; and his grandson; therefore, be it
10		RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
11		NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
12		mourn the passing of Robert "Bob" Gilliam, and extend our
13		sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
14		and loved him; and be it further
15		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16		presented to the family of Robert Gilliam as an expression of
17		our deepest sympathy.