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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Loretta Cecelia (Wright) Johnson, who
4passed away on May 8, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson was born to Herman and Velma
6Wright in 1947; she was raised in the Bronzeville community,
7where she attended both Coleman and Willard Elementary
8Schools; she was educated in the Chicago Public School system
9and graduated from Hirsh High School in the 1960s; she later
10attended DePaul University; she took adult education classes
11in car repair and dance, and she even pursued her master
12gardener and real estate certifications; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson loved to delegate, direct, and
14instruct, spending most of her professional years teaching
15others art, cooking, and other creative endeavors; whether her
16students were intellectually disabled adults, blind adults, or
17young children, she helped them push boundaries and believe in
18themselves; she was employed with the Federal Reserve Bank,
19Blue Cross Blue Shield, the University of Chicago Laboratory
20Schools, Operation PUSH, Inc., the DuSable Museum of African
21American History as the manager of operations and the museum
22store, the Camp of Dreams youth development organization, and
23the family business, HerVel's Ceramics Arts and Crafts; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson cared deeply for her community
2and frequently served as a volunteer; in 1995, she became one
3of the first beat facilitators of Chicago's Community
4Alternative Policing Program (CAPS), advocating for safe
5communities at the neighborhood, district, and citywide
6levels, and she served CAPS for over 20 years; she actively
7supported the election of Harold Washington as a co-precinct
8captain in Chicago's Sixth Ward, which resulted in a 100%
9precinct turnout, and she was an early supporter of Barack
10Obama in his various community and political campaigns; she
11also gave her time to the Luncheon is Served product marketing
12program, raising thousands of dollars for churches and
13nonprofit organizations throughout the Chicago area; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson committed to her faith at a young
15age at Liberty Baptist Church, where she was an active
16participant in Sunday school, organized the church's official
17greeters, participated in the oratory program, and was named
18Golden Jubilee Queen for the church's 50th anniversary, which
19raised funds to support the church's educational program; as
20an adult, she attended Christ Universal Temple and taught
21Sunday school; she later joined Trinity United Church of
22Christ, where she served on the scholarship and community
23donations review committees; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson loved her independence and
2sharing knowledge; she will be remembered for living a life of
3determination, advocacy, passion, and deep love; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson is survived by her daughter,
5Mekeda (Kevin) Johnson-Brooks; her granddaughter, Jasmin
6Brooks; her mother, Velma Wright; her sister, Antoinette
7Wright; her nephews, Joshua Alexander Sr. and Joshua "JC"
8Alexander Jr.; and a host of relatives, friends, fellow
9advocates, and colleagues; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
12Loretta Cecelia (Wright) Johnson and extend our sincere
13condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
14her; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of Loretta Johnson as an expression of
17our deepest sympathy.