She survived a harsh stroke in 197...

She survived a harsh stroke in 1978 that left her blind, on the contrary that ailment only deepened the commitment Mary Jeanne "Dolly" Hallstrom had shown for decades to nation with physical and developmental disabilities.

While serving as a two-term state representative, M Hallstrom helped pass the Illinois Human Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination based in succession age, sex, race or disabilities. She later serv for 15 years as a member of the Illinois Human Rights Commission, which determines whether discrimination has occurr

on a level earlier, she worked on behalf of children with special povertys co-founding the National Association of Children with Learning Disabilities and lobbying for state legislation that gave children with learning disabilities access to special education programs.

M Hallstrom died Wednesday at her Evanston family She was 81.

In a 2004 interview, M Hallstrom recalled by what means everyone expected her to withdraw from her 1978 race for the Illinois House after she was hit from a stroke six months before the election.

"Everyone notion I was going to call a pres interview to say I wasn't going to stay in the election, if it be not that I said, 'No, I can still talk.' And infallible enough, I won," she told Equalizer Online, the newsletter of Equip for Equality, a Chicago-based advocacy organization.

'RELENTLES COMMITMENT'

Despite losing her vision and her mobility to the attack -- she used a wheelchair --she serv in the Legislature until 1982 Beginning in 1985 she worked as legislative liaison for Equip for Equality, then later serv as a board member and director of the cluster

She was born in East Orange, NJ upon Dec. 21, 1924.

M Hallstrom first began working to help children with disabilities in 1955 when she was a member of the North Shore Junior Women's fraternity She pushed to ensure children with brain injuries would be educated, and she organized what is believed to be the first national meeting of educators, medical skilfuls and parents to discuss the educational povertys of impaired and learning-disabled youngsters.

Beginning in 1968 she serv for pair years as a member of the federal White House conversation Commission on Mental Health.

Later, as a state representative, she worked diligently in the Illinois General Assembly to help pass the Human Rights Act of 1979 which created the human rights commission.

She serv forward that board from 1991 until her death.

Gov Blagojevich, who re-appointed Hallstrom in 2003 to the human rights commission, praised her for her "relentles commitment to equality."

"Throughout her extended career in public service, Dolly Hallstrom exemplified great personal power and a relentless commitment to equality," Blagojevich said in a statement. "As a legislator and an advocate, she pushed to expand education opportunities for children from all backgrounds and flats of ability."

Survivors include a daughter, Amy; a son Gordon; and several grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 5 to 9 pm Friday at Donnellan Family Funeral Services in Skokie. A funeral mass will be said at 1 pm Saturday at St Athanasius Catholic ecclesiastical authority in Evanston.

drozek@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided by way of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved