Working for Illinois Caucus

(WIFR) – Community members and lawmakers mourn the death of former 67th District Representative Charles “Chuck” Jefferson of Rockford.

The 79-year-old Jefferson served in the Illinois legislature from April 2001 to July 2014 and acted as Assistant Majority Leader.

Prior to that, he served on the Winnebago County Board from 1990 to 2001.

Jefferson was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he earned the rank of sergeant in the military police unit.

In 2020, the African American Resource Center designated a stretch of Winnebago Street from Morgan to Montague streets as Chuck Jefferson Way.

“He was a trailblazer,” said current 67th District Rep. Maurice West. “Little did I know, that…18, 19 years later I was going to follow in his footsteps.”

“I remember him telling me, ‘Maurice, the more you put in it, the higher the chance you’ll win it,’ and that stuck with me. It’s been with me. And I’m going to miss him greatly,” West said. “I’m riding on his shoulders. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Chuck Jefferson.”

State Sen. Steve Stadelman also shared a statement following news of Jefferson’s death.

Jefferson is the second lawmaker from the region to die in recent weeks. In late December, former Illinois state Rep. Ron Wait died at age 80.

On Saturday, Gabrielle Torina, Fifth Ward Alderperson for the City of Rockford, shared a statement about Jefferson on her Facebook page.

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