Bill Text: IL HR1359 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Chester Slaughter.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-07 - Resolution Adopted [HR1359 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR1359-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Chester
Slaughter, who passed away on December 23, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was born in Chicago to Freida
Williams on January 25, 1943; he attended William Shakespeare
Elementary School and graduated from Hyde Park High School in
1961, where he excelled as a student and was a standout
two-sport athlete in football and track; he graduated from
Tennessee State University in 1965, where he was a member of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Beta Omicron Chapter, and
received his Juris Doctorate in 1968 from the Howard University
School of Law, where he participated in the Howard Law Journal;
he married Ruth M. Willis, and they settled in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter had a distinguished 46-year
career as an attorney, legal expert, community advocate,
political advisor, and mentor; he was part of the firms of
Howard, Mann, & Slaughter, Smith & Sumner, Lyle & Slaughter,
and Chester Slaughter & Associates; he was known as a fierce
competitor in the courtroom, had a reputation for being
exceptionally knowledgeable about the law, and always
aggressively fought for his clients to receive their due
process; and

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WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter also worked as Cook County
Assistant State's Attorney, General Counsel for the Maywood
Park District, and hearing officer for the Cook County
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District; he was involved with
the Cook County Bar Association, where he served as past
President; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a social justice advocate
and believed in justice and employment for African Americans;
he focused on the career development of aspiring young minority
lawyers and utilized his leadership post at the Cook County Bar
Association to launch the organization's first job fairs; he
was a long-standing board member for the John Howard
Association, where he actively spearheaded initiatives to
protect the rights of women prisoners; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was as an adjunct professor and
lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School and
Northwestern University School of Law; he was a supporter of
the 6th and 21st Ward Democratic organizations, where he worked
on local political campaigns; he also cherished the brotherhood
of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, where he was active
in the Xi Lambda Alumni Chapter and the Beta Omicron Foundation
and was instrumental in establishing their student scholarship
initiative; he was also active with the Chicago Assembly and

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the Chicago Chapter of the Tennessee State University Alumni
Association; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a member of Saint Edmund
Episcopal Church, where he was active in church activities,
programs, and clubs; he also became a board member of the Saint
Edmund's Redevelopment Corporation, where he was instrumental
in efforts to provide affordable housing in the Washington Park
neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was a sports enthusiast; he was
a member of the Chicago Snow Gophers and a competitive skier;
he founded the Chicago South Swim Club and was also a United
States Swimming Association Official; he was a basketball
fanatic and enjoyed traveling around the country watching his
two sons play basketball at the collegiate level; known for his
love of cooking and well-dressed style, his family was always
his top priority; and
WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter was preceded in death by his
mother and father-in-law, Inez and John W. Willis; his aunts,
Corine Slaughter and Earline Shelby; his uncles, George
Slaughter Jr. and Theodore Slaughter; numerous cousins, great-
nieces, nephews, and friends; and his beloved granddog, Ace
Slaughter; and

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WHEREAS, Chester Slaughter is survived by his wife of 49
years, Ruth; his sons, Craig (Jennifer Eckert) and Justin
(Catrena) Slaughter; his mother, Freida Williams; his
grandson, Russell Slaughter; his brothers-in-law, John W.
(Bertha) Willis Jr., Victor Willis, and Leroy (Pamela) Willis
Sr.; his sisters-in-law, Patricia Willis and Thelma Green; and
his aunts, Louise Cornelius and Joan Price; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
mourn the passing of Chester Slaughter and extend our sincere
condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
him; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Chester Slaughter as an expression
of our deepest sympathy.