IL SR1316

Ronald "Ron" E. Powell passed away on March 22, 2020; he was born April 5, 1935 in rural Wisconsin, served in the U.S. Army, and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1960.

Powell worked for Jewel Tea Company starting in 1960 and led the first and only recognition strike against the company before joining Local 881 (United Retail Workers Union, Independent).

Elected president of Local 881 in 1983, Powell built it into the largest local union in the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and served as Vice President of the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board starting December 4, 1986.

Powell served as trustee for the Village of Mundelein and on numerous boards including the Illinois State Board of Investments, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Amalgamated Bank of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority; he was elected as a Democratic National Convention delegate in 1996, 2000, and 2008.

The Illinois Senate mourns Powell's passing and extends condolences to his surviving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and dear friend, as well as to his family and all who knew him.