COMMENDS-DELTA SIGMA THETA

104th Regular Session Introduced by Kimberly Lightford

Commends Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for over 112 years of public service, recognizing its Illinois chapters and presenting a copy of the resolution to state leadership.

Resolution Adopted

Main purpose

SR 320 is a commemorative resolution that formally recognizes and commends Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for its more than 112-year history of public service, advocacy, and community impact—highlighting the organization’s work in Illinois and internationally—and directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to regional and state leadership of the sorority.

Background and intent

Notes Delta Sigma Theta’s founding on January 13, 1913, at Howard University and its first public act: participation in the Women’s Suffrage Procession on March 3, 1913.

Emphasizes the sorority’s longstanding Five-Point Programmatic Thrust (Educational Development, Economic Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement / Social Action).

Describes the organization as an international, service-based sorority of predominantly college-educated Black women committed to public service and social justice.

Key provisions / content

Commends Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for its legacy of public service and advocacy.

Specifically recognizes the sorority’s activities in Illinois, including:

Presence of approximately 28 alumnae and collegiate chapters across Illinois (including Chicago, Springfield, East St. Louis, Urbana‑Champaign, Carbondale).
Over 1,050 chartered chapters worldwide and more than 350,000 initiated members (figures stated in the resolution).
Activities such as mentorship, scholarships, voter education and registration, health initiatives, and economic development projects.
Regularly hosting “Delta Days” at the Illinois State Capitol since March 31, 2004.

Directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the regional and state leadership of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Who is affected / impact

Principal beneficiary: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (regional and Illinois leadership and membership).

Symbolic impact: formal state recognition that elevates public visibility of the sorority’s civic and community contributions; may support ongoing partnerships with public and private entities and bolster public awareness of the group’s programs.

Procedural / timeline notes

Documented legislative actions provided:

Received by Secretary of the Senate: 2025-03-20
Read & adopted (Senate): 2025-03-25 (vote and enrollment recorded)
Additional procedural entries (filing, referral to calendars, and final adoption) appear in May 2025 (May 20–22).

Sponsors (listed as primary): RaShaun Kemp; Kenya Wicks; Sally Harrell; Nabilah Islam Parkes; Sonya Halpern; Elena Parent; David Lucas; Ed Harbison; Nikki Merritt; Sheikh Rahman; Derek Mallow; Donzella James; Randal Mangham; Freddie Powell Sims; Emanuel Jones; Josh McLaurin; Nan Orrock; Harold Jones II; Tonya Anderson; Gail Davenport; Jason Esteves; Michael 'Doc' Rhett.

Note about source text

The legislative text provided to summarize also includes, apparently inadvertently, a separate Georgia Senate resolution concerning the creation of a committee to replace a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection. That Georgia statuary-resolution text is unrelated to SR 320’s commendation of Delta Sigma Theta. This summary focuses only on the Delta Sigma Theta commendation portion of SR 320.

Bill