Violini, Marion Kennedy, 1934-

Born November 27, 1934. Alderman, Chicago's 48th ward; President, Edgewater Community Council. Marion Jean Kennedy was born on November 27, 1934, the daughter of Marion Mitchell and Edward Kennedy. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, she attended Maria High School, but came to the North Side of the city to attend Mundelein college. She married Camillo Volini, and they raised their five children in the Lakewood-Balmoral neighborhood of Chicago. Until she entered politics, she was a teacher and speech therapist in the Chicago Public Schools. Marion Kennedy Volini was formally inducted into her office as Alderman of Chicago's 48th Ward on July 7, 1978. Ten years earlier she had collaborated in the formation of a neighborhood organization -- the Lakewood Balmoral Residents Council -- to upgrade what at the time was known as a deteriorated area. As Alderwoman, with her seat on the City Council, she was empowered to focus on improving neighborhood safety, housing rehabilitation, commercial revitalization, and traffic congestion, as well as the prevention of lakefront erosion. She sponsored legislation concerning playground safety and prostitution. As Chairperson of the City Council's Committee on Aging and Disabled, her efforts worked toward improving services and accessibility for senior citizens and the physically handicapped. At the conclusion of her third term as Alderman, Volini opened her own real estate company, Lakefront Group. She continued to serve the City as a mayoral appointee to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which has under its jurisdiction Navy Pier and McCormick Place.