Bill

SR 438

MEMORIAL-NILE W. GOSSETT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Don Harmon

Senate memorial recognizing Nile W. Gossett's life and service, mourning his loss and offering condolences to his family; directs a copy of the resolution to them.

Resolution Adopted

WeVote Research Nonpartisan

Bill Summary · SR 438

Summary — SR 438: Memorial — Nile W. Gossett

Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: April 17, 2025
Classification: Honorific / Memorial resolution

Main purpose

SR 438 is a non‑binding, ceremonial Senate resolution that honors the life and public service of Nile W. Gossett, expresses the Senate’s condolences to his family and community, and directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to his family. The file for SR 438 also contains, apparently by clerical inclusion, text of a separate memorial for Dorothy Roberts Pirzad; the official title of this record is MEMORIAL — NILE W. GOSSETT and the substantive memorial language in the latter portion of the document concerns Mr. Gossett.

Key provisions and content

Contains multiple "whereas" clauses summarizing Nile W. Gossett’s life, family and public contributions:
- Born February 20, 1965; raised on Chicago’s South Side.
- Early work experience in his father’s dry‑cleaning business; accelerated school placement and academic achievement in middle school; attended Chicago Vocational High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
- Professional roles at Wrigley, the Chicago Bulls, Inland Steel, McDonald’s Corporation, and the Chicago Chamber of Commerce.
- Moved to Oak Park (1999), married his wife Megan, and launched Best Practices Training (2000), conducting diversity training and workshops for organizations including the Village of Oak Park.
- Longstanding community involvement with Project Unity (a local interracial community initiative), eventually serving as its president.
- Personal details: enjoyed cooking, hosting, and Motown music; survived by spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, extended family and many friends.
Formal resolutions:
- The Senate “mourns the passing” of Nile W. Gossett and extends sincere condolences to his family and friends.
- Directs that a suitable copy of the resolution be presented to the family as an expression of sympathy.

Who is affected

Primarily symbolic: the resolution recognizes and honors Nile W. Gossett, his family, friends, and the communities he served (Chicago, Oak Park, Project Unity participants, and organizations that benefited from his diversity training).
No legal, fiscal, or regulatory effects — this is a commemorative action only.

Procedural / timeline notes

Documented legislative actions (per the record supplied) include:
- Received by the Secretary of the Senate: April 17, 2025
- Read & adopted (dates in the file include March 21, 2025; April 22, 2025; and October 15, 2025). A vote was recorded on April 22, 2025. The resolution was reported enrolled and filed with the Secretary in October 2025, and on October 14 the record indicates “Co‑Sponsor All Senators” and referral to the Resolutions Consent Calendar.
The file contains text for two separate memorials (Dorothy Roberts Pirzad and Nile W. Gossett). The presence of both memorials in this single file appears clerical; the adopted resolution title and substantial memorial language in the latter portion concern Nile W. Gossett.

Impact

SR 438 functions as an official expression of sympathy and recognition by the Senate. It honors Mr. Gossett’s civic and professional contributions, provides a documented tribute for the historical record, and authorizes delivery of the resolution to his family. It creates no binding obligations or expenditures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.