State Sen. Preston proposes an honor for former Secretary of State Jesse White

Posted on May 24, 2024
Former Secretary of State Jesse White. (Photo courtesy: Jesse White/Twitter)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A teacher, paratrooper, lawmaker, college and pro athlete, and Secretary of State will have his name on a state office building in Chicago.

At 115 S. La Salle St., it will be the Jesse White State of Illinois Building.

The resolution’s sponsor, State Sen. Willie Preston (D-Chicago), tells how he took countless children out of tough Chicago neighborhoods.

“For over sixty years, Jesse White has taken youth from across Chicago, primarily in Black communities. The Jesse White Tumblers – remember, these kids are from Chicago – have performed in 28 NBA arenas, two presidential inaugurations, and countries and venues throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa,” said Preston.

White served six terms as secretary of state, retiring after the 2022 election.

HJR 48 has passed both chambers.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…