Bill Text: IL SR0824 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Robert "Bob" Vondrasek.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-11-14 - Resolution Adopted [SR0824 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR0824-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Robert "Bob" Vondrasek on April 19, 2019
at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was born on October 13, 1937 to
Mildred and Emil Vondrasek; he was a fervent community
organizer in the South Austin neighborhood for four decades,
where he fought banks and utility companies, city hall and
Springfield, and poverty and injustice; he made a lot of
friends, from poor single moms living in unheated apartments to
powerful politicians who respected his ability to challenge
establishment; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was not afraid of color barriers
when it came to social justice; known for integrating himself
into the Austin community, he would knock on doors, asking
people what they needed and getting their gas and lights turned
on; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was best known for helping create
state and national programs that provide financial assistance
to families whose heat had been cut off; he made programs part
of the national scene and was a constant in Washington, D.C.,
advocating for community reinvestment; and

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WHEREAS, As executive director, Bob Vondrasek led the South
Austin Coalition Community Council (SACCC) group to their
signature accomplishment, the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income families
pay for their energy bills, various energy-related home
repairs, and the weatherization of their homes; and
WHEREAS, Through Bob Vondrasek's leadership, SACCC became
known as the top grassroots community organization in the
Chicago area; he was a great strategist and helped lead
community reinvestment, organized senior citizens, and through
the SACCC, kept the Austin Bank on its best behavior; he united
block clubs and motivated people to join local school councils
and churches to open their doors for community meetings; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek retired from his leadership
position with the SACCC due to illness, and during an
appreciation ceremony at the Austin Satellite Senior Center,
community leaders from all over the West Side praised his
community involvement; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was known for being the most
well-trained, creative, dedicated, and consistent organizer;
he was so dedicated to the cause that he once walked in
95-degree heat from a satellite center to go to a community

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meeting on the West Side; in a tribute delivered in the U.S.
House of Representatives in 2018, Congressman Danny Davis
described Robert as "the most dedicated, committed and most
loyal Saul Alinsky-trained organizer that I have ever known";
and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek loved a good protest; if the cause
was just, he would be there at the drop of a hat to lend his
voice, and he might bring a busload of his friends; he lifted
spirits and taught people how to love, how to live, and how to
work together; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was married to Alice (Kerley) for
almost 60 years; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek was preceded in death by his sister,
Marianne Cosgrove, and his son, John Vondrasek; and
WHEREAS, Bob Vondrasek is survived by his wife, Alice; his
children, Elizabeth, Thomas, and James (Laura); his
grandchildren, Alyssa, Brian, Evan, John, Desi, and Mia; his
great-grandchildren, Ethan and Emily; and his nieces and
nephews, Jack, Julie, Rocky, Mike, and Jana; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

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Robert "Bob" Vondrasek 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 Bob Vondrasek as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.