HR0548 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0548 LRB103 35157 LAW 65127 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the late Leticia "Letty" Lozano for the impact her advocacy made on the vocation of Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel (PSRPs) in the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Leticia Lozano was an employee of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), working at Thomas Kelly College Preparatory High School for the majority of her career before joining the staff of Charles A. Prosser Career Academy as the attendance clerk; during her tenure, she was noted by colleagues for her dedication and devotion to the students, families, staff, and community; and

WHEREAS, Leticia Lozano wished to become a substitute teacher at Prosser Career Academy in retirement; however, as an attendance clerk, she was prohibited from doing so by State law that governs the Municipal Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago, from which CPS paraprofessionals draw their pensions; and

WHEREAS, Through the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Leticia Lozano championed changing the law, and the union, in turn, worked with members of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, The change Leticia Lozano sought was eventually introduced as Illinois Senate Bill 1646 in the 103rd General Assembly in 2023; and

WHEREAS, SB 1646 allowed PSRPs, such as Leticia Lozano, to become substitute teachers after retirement without penalty to their pension, and the bill was signed into law under Public Act 103-0552, effective August 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Leticia Lozano never got the chance to retire or to benefit from the law change and pursue substitute teaching, passing away due to complications from COVID-19 in December 2020; and

WHEREAS, Leticia Lozano was a wife and the mother of Josie, Carlos, Elvia, Luis, Alex, Gizelle, and Andrew; and

WHEREAS, While she never benefited from the rights bestowed by the passage of SB 1646, Leticia Lozano's advocacy continues to be remembered today, serving as a reminder of the positive impact one person's efforts can have on society as a whole; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the late Leticia "Letty" Lozano on the impact her advocacy made on the vocation of Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel (PSRPs) in the State of Illinois and her dedication to Chicago Public Schools (CPS); and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leticia Lozano as an expression of our esteem and respect.