Ethel Skyles Alexander

Ethel Skyles Alexander (January 16, 1925 – September 10, 2016) was a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives and Illinois Senate. She served in four General Assemblies in the House and four General Assemblies in the Senate. Carol Moseley Braun described Alexander as her mentor.

Born in Chicago, Alexander graduated from Englewood High School. She received an associate of arts degree from Loop College (now Harold Washington College). She also took an IBM Executive Training Course there. She worked in the Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court office for 33 years. In 1985 she became chair of the House Elections Committee.

On July 16, 1986, Alexander took over the position from longtime ward committeeman Cecil Partee after Partee was appointed Cook County State's Attorney in 1989. In 1992, she was one of only two women serving as ward committeemen in Chicago.

Alexander died in Chicago in 2016, aged 91. The Illinois House and Senate passed a joint resolution mourning her death.