MEMORIAL-AMISHA PATEL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Celina Villanueva

The resolution memorializes Amisha Patel and creates the Amisha Patel Arts & Organizing Fellowship to continue supporting artists involved in social justice and grassroots organizi

Resolution Adopted

Summary of SR0767 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose

A Senate Resolution memorializing and expressing condolences on the death of Amisha Patel, a longtime Chicago community organizer and prominent progressive advocate.

Main Intent

To recognize and honor Amisha Patel’s life, work, and impact on Chicago, Illinois, and broader social justice and labor organizing circles.

To acknowledge her leadership, advocacy, and contributions to racial and economic justice, labor organization, public education funding, housing, and immigrant rights.

To establish a formal memorial honor and commemorate her legacy, including the creation of the Amisha Patel Arts & Organizing Fellowship as a continuing program to support artists involved in social justice movements.

Key Provisions and Content

Formal statements of mourning and condolence from the Illinois Senate.

Acknowledgment of Amisha Patel’s background, education, and major career milestones, including:

Co-founding Youth United for Community Action during college (Stanford, 1997).
Work as a community organizer for SEIU Local 73 (hospital workers, Head Start) in Chicago.
Executive director role at Grassroots Collaborative (2007–2022), emphasizing racial and economic justice, funded public education, affordable housing, and cross-organizational collaboration.
Senior advisor to Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson’s transition committee (2023) and involvement with progressive campaigns.
Co-founding United Working Families, a political organization advocating for progressive candidates and policy outcomes.
Writing editorials and influencing public discourse on race, class, gender, and labor issues.
Advocacy for minimum wage increases, community investment via Tax Increment Financing (TIF) reform, and opposition to ICE-related abuses.

Establishment of the Amisha Patel Arts & Organizing Fellowship to support artists contributing to social justice-focused grassroots movements.

Personal tributes highlighting Patel’s impact on Chicago, Illinois, and national movements, including her family and surviving relatives.

Affected Parties

Individuals: Amisha Patel (deceased), her immediate family and survivors.

Organizations: Grassroots Collaborative, SEIU Local 73, United Working Families, and other groups connected to her career and advocacy.

Public entities: The State of Illinois, particularly as it relates to recognizing civic contributions and memorializing community organizers.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Legislative steps completed:

Filed with the Secretary of the Senate on May 5, 2026.
Co-sponsored by all Senators on May 5, 2026.
Referred to the Resolutions Consent Calendar on May 5, 2026.
Adopted by the Senate on May 7, 2026.

No fiscal changes, policy prescriptions, or regulatory changes are enacted by this resolution; the action is ceremonial and commemorative.

The resolution directs that a suitable copy be presented to Patel’s family.

Overall Impact

The bill serves as a formal, non-binding tribute to Amisha Patel’s life and work.

It publicly codifies recognition of her contributions to labor organizing, progressive coalition-building, and social justice in Chicago and Illinois.

It inaugurates a fellowship in her name to continue supporting artists engaged in social justice and grassroots organizing efforts.