IL HR0715

Memorial resolution honoring Standish E. "Kwame" Willis, Esq., a Chicago civil rights attorney who passed away on February 28, 2025 at age 83.

Willis served in the U.S. Air Force during Vietnam, then as a CTA bus driver where he helped organize the largest wildcat strike in Chicago history during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Founded Black People Against Police Torture (BPAPT) in 2005 and drafted legislation that became the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission (TIRC) in 2009, helping free victims of police torture.

Presented evidence of Chicago police torture before the Organization of American States and United Nations, contributing to the indictment of former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge.

Established his own law firm in 1989 specializing in civil rights, police brutality, and human rights cases, and co-founded numerous organizations including the Communiversity and African Liberation Day in Chicago.