RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF JUNE 17, 2021
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners honoring the public service of former Alderman Robin Rue Simmons
Body
WHEREAS, Robin Rue Simmons was born and raised in Evanston’s 5th Ward. Growing up, she attended Faith Christian Academy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Laboratory School (now known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School), and Evanston Township High School respectively; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Simmons attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas majoring in mass communications and media studies. Upon completing her education, she returned to her hometown with the goal of building a small business; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Simmons was then struck with the desire to serve the public. Campaigning on the promise of bringing more vital services to the 5th Ward, she won the aldermanic election and was sworn into office on May 8, 2017. While in office, Ms. Simmons attained many legislative accomplishments including the Climate Action Resilience Plan and enacting municipal ordinances allowing for sick leave for hourly workers; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Simmons’ most famous and profound piece of municipal legislation was the Evanston Reparations Initiative (Initiative), which she introduced in September of 2019. In November of 2019, a reparations fund was created and on March 22, 2021, the first part of the Initiative, the Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program, was approved. The Evanston Reparations Initiative created the first ever municipal reparations program in the history of the United States, spearheading a movement for racial economic justice and equity across the country; and
WHEREAS, on October 30, 2020, Ms. Simmons revealed that she would not be seeking re-election. Citing her numerous triumphs, Ms. Simmons is proud of her tenure as Alderman of the 5th Ward; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2021, it was announced that Ms. Simmons had been appointed to the National African American Reparations Commission to continue her vital work in promoting the value of reparations programs and aiding in the creation of programs nationwide. She assumed this new role on May 15, 2021, at the conclusion of her aldermanic term; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Simmons has been honored with many awards including the Imani Award from Family Focus Evanston - Our Place, the Community Impact Award from the Realtist Women’s Council of Illinois, the Navigator Award from Route Fifty, and the Community Service Leadership Award from Democratic Party of Evanston; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize former Alderman Robin Rue Simmons for her public service and relentless commitment to equity and justice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to former Alderman Robin Rue Simmons.
Dated: June 17, 2021