SR0483 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0483 LRB099 12219 MST 35075 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Kathy A. Pelz of Spring Grove, who passed away on April 25, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Pelz was born in Chicago on September 18, 1956 to Roland and Anna (nee Niesner) Schneider and grew up in Barrington; she married Richard E. Pelz on June 28, 1975 in Barrington and they built their first home in Marengo; she received her post high school education at McHenry County College and Harper College; and

WHEREAS, After 5 years, Kathy Pelz and her husband relocated back to Barrington, where they managed a farm operation until 1987; Cary then became their home for over 10 years before moving to Spring Grove 12 years ago; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Pelz was a banking executive for her entire career; she was employed for the past 25 years at McHenry Savings Bank, where she served as Sr. Vice-President and Chief Retail Banking Officer; previously, she was operations supervisor with Northern Federal Savings in Crystal Lake for 5 years; she began her banking career at Arlington Federal in Arlington Heights; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her career, Kathy Pelz was very active in community and charitable organizations; she was the former Chairman (1997-1998) and board member (1995-2003) with the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce; while a board member, she also served as Chairman of the McHenry Fiesta Days, the Fiesta Days Parade, and was active with numerous McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce committees and events; she was recognized for her community work as the recipient of the 2005 McHenry Area Chamber Frank E. Low Award; she was also a board member and board Chairman of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and was recognized for her contributions as the recipient of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Impact Award in 2006; she was a member and past-President of the McHenry Rotary Club and was the recipient of the Rotary Club Presidents Award for 2012-2013; she served on several Rotary Committees and was Chairman and co-founder of the Rotary Blues Brews and Barbecues event; other civic contributions included serving as a board member of the McHenry County Workforce Investment Board and as a board member on the McHenry County Community Foundation; other board positions she held included Senior Services, Family Services, and Adult and Child Rehab; she served as the keynote speaker for the American Cancer Society in 2010, and for several years, she served on the United Way Allocation Panel; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Pelz loved the companionship of her dog and best friend, Riley; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Pelz was preceded in death by her father; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Pelz is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, Richard; her 2 children, Katherine May and Michael (Carley) Pelz; her 6 grandchildren, William, Scarlett, Nathaniel, Ashton, Brianna, and Claire; her mother, Anna Schneider; her brother, Roland (Alison) Schneider; and her 4 sisters, Rita (Richard) Smith, Vickie (Michael) Karcz, Loretta (Dave) Parker, and Shirley (Bruce) Kraft; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Kathy A. Pelz, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and who knew and loved her; and be it further

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