SR0601 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0601 LRB099 12474 MST 35855 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph "Mayor Joe" W. Strzelczyk, who passed away on May 17, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe was born on May 21, 1939 to Chester and Loretta (nee Szrabajki) Strzelczyk; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe served honorably in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1963; he served 5 years in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1968; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe launched his own businesses in 1976 as a self-employed "trader" at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, where he also owned a prestigious Trading Seat; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980s, Mayor Joe shared his passion for softball through writing columns, hosting a cable television program and radio show, and coaching the North American Pro Softball league in 1980; he was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe had a passion for helping people, which led him to spend much of his life working with young people as a baseball coach and eventually entering a career in public service; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe entered into public service in 1978, working as a Special Recreation Instructor for the Chicago Park District; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe started his tenure as Summit Village Trustee in 1990; he was elected Mayor in 1997 and re-elected to that position in 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2013; and

WHEREAS, During Mayor Joe's tenure, he secured more than $2.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funding, which he used to improve streets and strengthen Summit's infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, Under Mayor Joe's direction, Summit was able to build a 78-unit, $14 million Senior Housing Development; in 2013, Summit was also included in the revenue sharing agreement with the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, which brought in more than $604,000 to the Village; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to Mayor Joe's leadership, new businesses moved to Summit, the village's debt was reduced, and crime made a steady decline; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe was proud of Summit's diversity and strived to ensure the Village remained well-balanced and all voices were heard; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe dedicated his entire life to the people of Summit and served the Village with sincere kindness, honesty, integrity and an enduring commitment to improve Summit and the lives of its residents; his legacy will go unmatched; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Chester (Trudy) Strzelczyk; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Joe is survived by his 3 nephews, Chet (Stacy), John (Kim), and Ken (Flo) Strzelczyk; his 5 great-nieces and nephews, Bret, Matthew, Kyra, Johnny, and Justin; his 2 godchildren, C.J. and Emma; his aunt, Gloria Strzelczyk; and his cousins Bernie (Margaret) Migas, Diane (Steve) Kusenda, Kathy (John) Rayson, and many more; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph "Mayor Joe" W. Strzelczyk, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mayor Joe as an expression of our deepest sympathy.