IL SR1285

Illinois Senate expresses condolences for the death of James Deanes, who worked nearly 20 years with Chicago Public Schools before retiring in 2013 as senior policy adviser for Local School Council relations.

James Deanes was instrumental in developing the Local School Council school reform model; appointed in 1987 by Mayor Harold Washington to lead the Parent Community Council, which advocated for legislation creating LSCs to increase parental involvement in children's education.

Deanes was active in his community, founding youth baseball teams in the Austin neighborhood, leading anti-drug marches, and serving on PTAs and school organizations.

He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn and is survived by five children: Kenya, Corey, James, Malcolm, and Denna.

The Senate directs a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Deanes family as an expression of sympathy.