CONGRATS-DR. SHAKA RAWLS

104th Regular Session Introduced by Mike Crawford

Recognizes Dr. Shaka Rawls for leading Leo Catholic High School to enrollment growth, strong college placement, higher graduation metrics, and community service through the Golden

Resolution Adopted

Summary of HR 901 (Session 104th, Illinois)

Purpose and intent

HR 901 is a House Resolution congratulating Dr. Shaka Rawls, principal of Leo Catholic High School in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago, on being named a 2026 recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

The resolution recognizes Dr. Rawls for his leadership and its impact on Leo Catholic High School and the surrounding community, and it formalizes the commendation from the Illinois House of Representatives.

Key provisions and changes

Formal recognition of achievement:

Declares that Dr. Shaka Rawls has been named a 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership.

Summary of accomplishments attributed to Dr. Rawls:

Returned to Leo Catholic High School as principal in 2016 when the school faced potential closure due to low enrollment.
Led transformative improvements including doubling school enrollment.
Achieved a consistent 100% college acceptance rate for seniors.
Improved ninth-grade on-track-to-graduate rate by 20 percentage points and achieved a graduation rate exceeding 90%.
Expanded non-academic support, including mentoring and creating a supportive environment for Black and Brown male students.
Established a dual credit partnership with the University of Illinois Chicago to provide early college access.
Oversaw more than 7,500 hours of community service by students in two years, reflecting the school motto “facta non verba” (deeds, not words).

Recognition rewards and opportunities:

The Golden Apple Award comes with a $10,000 prize; Dr. Rawls has committed a portion to Leo Catholic High School.
He is slated to take a sabbatical to pursue courses at Northwestern University.
He will become a Fellow of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, participating in mentoring programs for future teachers (Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators).

Who or what would be affected

Primary beneficiary: Leo Catholic High School and its students, staff, and community, particularly in the Auburn Gresham area of Chicago.

Dr. Shaka Rawls: recipients of the award and related opportunities (sabbatical, fellowship, mentoring duties).

The broader Illinois education community, through public acknowledgment of exemplary school leadership and the potential inspiration or influence of the Golden Apple program.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Filed and introduced: May 13, 2026 (Representative Michael Crawford as the sponsor; Co-sponsor Mike Crawford listed).

Action history:

May 13, 2026: Filed with the Clerk.
May 14, 2026: Placed on Calendar Order of Resolutions.
May 14, 2026: Resolution adopted by the Illinois House of Representatives.

No fiscal or regulatory changes are enacted; the resolution serves as formal recognition and commemoration rather than implementing policy.

Notable details

The resolution highlights notable quantitative outcomes (e.g., enrollment growth, 100% college acceptance rate, graduation rate >90%, 20-point rise in on-track-to-graduate rate, 7,500+ hours of community service).

The award, prize, and subsequent roles (Fellowship, mentoring) are outlined as part of the recognition package.

This bill functions as a ceremonial commendation celebrating leadership excellence and its demonstrated impact on a Chicago-area high school and its students.