Ronnie Lewis facts for kids

Ronnie Lewis (born December 22, 1944 – died December 3, 2014) was an American politician. He served as the mayor of Dolton, Illinois. He was the second African-American person to hold this important position in Dolton.

Early Life and Education

Ronnie Lewis was born in Lexington, Mississippi, on December 22, 1944. He went to Tennessee State University and earned a degree in industrial education. This means he studied how to teach skills for jobs and industries.

In 1966, he moved to Chicago with his wife. There, he worked in the Chicago Public School system. He continued his education and earned a master's degree from Roosevelt University. This degree was in administration and supervision, which helped him lead and manage in schools.

Becoming a Public Official

In the late 1970s, Ronnie Lewis moved to Dolton, Illinois. His journey into public service began in 1991. Mayor Michael Peck appointed him to a spot on the Village Board. This made him the first Black public official in Dolton.

He worked as an assistant principal in Chicago Public Schools. In 2000, he retired from that job. He continued to be re-elected to the Village Board. He served on the board until 2008.

Serving as Mayor of Dolton

Ronnie Lewis became the interim mayor of Dolton in November 2008. This happened after the death of the previous mayor, William Shaw.

Winning the Election

In February 2009, Lewis won the primary election. He defeated his opponent, Riley H. Roberts. He received more than half of the votes. Later in 2009, he won the general election. He became the mayor for a full four-year term. He received 1,650 votes, beating other candidates.

Focusing on Business and Community

As mayor, Ronnie Lewis worked to bring new businesses to Dolton. He especially focused on the Sibley Boulevard area. He wanted to create more jobs and opportunities for the town.

He also looked into the finances of the Dorchester Center. This building was a former hotel that became a home for senior citizens. He wanted to make sure the money was being used correctly.

Efforts to Expand Dolton

In 2012, Mayor Lewis tried to add a large landfill area to Dolton. This landfill was partly in Chicago and partly in Dolton. He believed that bringing the whole landfill into Dolton would create more jobs. The Village Board supported his idea.

However, the governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, sided with environmental groups. The governor put new rules in place that affected landfills across the state. This meant Mayor Lewis's plan could not move forward.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2013, Ronnie Lewis ran for re-election as mayor. However, he was defeated by Riley H. Rogers.

Ronnie Lewis passed away on December 3, 2014. He died from a heart attack at the age of 69. He is remembered for his dedication to public service in Dolton. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and his two daughters, Angelique and Angeline.