Bill Text: IL SR2291 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Lionel J. Gindorf.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-01-09 - Resolution Adopted [SR2291 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-SR2291-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Lionel J. Gindorf, who passed away on
December 5, 2018 at the age of 94; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was born on August 23, 1924 and
grew up on the Near West Side and near Midway Airport during
the Great Depression; at six foot three, he was known to most
as "Tiny" and lived an extraordinary life; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Lionel Gindorf serviced B-16
bombers on the island of Guam in the Pacific; after the war, he
returned to Chicago and began his career as a building engineer
downtown; he joined Local 399 of the International Union of
Operating Engineers (IUOE) in 1946; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf quickly rose through the ranks at
Local 399 and earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator and
"someone to go to for advice you could count on or if you
wanted to get a foot in the door"; In 1956, he became a member
of the local's executive board and business agent; he was named
financial secretary and assistant to the business manager in
1977; in 1980, he was elected business manager; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure at Local 399, Lionel Gindorf

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oversaw dramatic changes in the craft of operating engineer; in
1960, drastic revisions were made to the local's training
program to accommodate advancements in technology; thus,
computer training was initiated and later tied in with a
two-year program, which was developed by the IUOE and a Chicago
community college and open to all incoming union members; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, Lionel Gindorf retired from Local 399,
and in his speech, he expressed that for 48 years he "lived and
breathed" the union; according to his daughter, "There are no
words to capture his real accomplishment and the extent of his
influence, which created livelihoods and guaranteed success
for generations of families"; she further noted that "he gave a
million favors and never asked for one in return, as he
considered it his job to take care of people"; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf was preceded in death by his wife
of 68 years, Anne Gindorf; and
WHEREAS, Lionel Gindorf is survived by his children, Merry
(the late Phil) Nicholson and Jeffrey (Andrea) Gindorf; his
grandchildren, Christine Nicholson, John Nicholson, Joie
Gindorf, and Jamie Gindorf; his many nieces and nephews; and
the numerous people he mentored; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL

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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Lionel J. Gindorf 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 Lionel Gindorf as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.