Chicago, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – “You the man.”

That’s something former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is believed to have said to countless people every day both before and after his time in that office.

Thursday, state leaders from Governor JB Pritzker to the head of the state’s Central Management Services were saying that to White, as the state building in downtown Chicago was officially renamed the “Jesse White State of Illinois Building.”

“His oft-heard motto — ‘Do something good for someone every day’ — is a creed that I think many of you have heard before from him,” said Pritzker.  “We should all strive to live by it every single day, and remember him as we do it.”

Pritzker says that’s especially true for those who work in public service.

White, born in Alton but raised in Chicago, spent decades as a public school teacher before being in government — and of course there were those tumbling teams he coached for years.

“While I’m proud of the fact I was a school teacher, coach, founder of the Jessey White Tumbling Team, lawmaker, Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Secretary of State, I want you to know this could not have happened by itself,” said White.  White thanked his family, other lawmakers, Pritzker, and others, including his successor in the Secretary of State’s Office, Alexi Giannoulias.

“When I think of Jesse White, it’s very simple: what it means to be a very, very good human being,” said Giannoulias.  “(He is) someone who is decent, someone who has spent his whole life exhibiting empathy and kindness and helping others.”

Giannoulias says White spent a lot of time offering him advice when he took on his first statewide office, as Treasurer.  White would often say something like “anything you need” as he was starting out.

Many of those who spoke agreed, but did not want to forget about one of the biggest things he did in office, advocate for organ donation.

White says he didn’t set out to have a building named after him, but it’s something he won’t soon forget.

“When I played baseball in the Chicago Cub organization (in the minor leagues), Ron Santo, when he retired, he retired with number 10.  He said that number 10 was his Hall of Fame,” said White.  “Today, I can proudly say that this honor has given me my Hall of Fame.”

Since the closure and sale of the James R. Thompson Center, the state’s office building in Chicago has moved to 115 S. LaSalle St.