SR0321 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0321 LRB103 32485 LAW 61987 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Loretta Cecelia (Wright) Johnson, who passed away on May 8, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson was born to Herman and Velma Wright in 1947; she was raised in the Bronzeville community, where she attended both Coleman and Willard Elementary Schools; she was educated in the Chicago Public School system and graduated from Hirsh High School in the 1960s; she later attended DePaul University; she took adult education classes in car repair and dance, and she even pursued her master gardener and real estate certifications; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson loved to delegate, direct, and instruct, spending most of her professional years teaching others art, cooking, and other creative endeavors; whether her students were intellectually disabled adults, blind adults, or young children, she helped them push boundaries and believe in themselves; she was employed with the Federal Reserve Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Operation PUSH, Inc., the DuSable Museum of African American History as the manager of operations and the museum store, the Camp of Dreams youth development organization, and the family business, HerVel's Ceramics Arts and Crafts; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson cared deeply for her community and frequently served as a volunteer; in 1995, she became one of the first beat facilitators of Chicago's Community Alternative Policing Program (CAPS), advocating for safe communities at the neighborhood, district, and citywide levels, and she served CAPS for over 20 years; she actively supported the election of Harold Washington as a co-precinct captain in Chicago's Sixth Ward, which resulted in a 100% precinct turnout, and she was an early supporter of Barack Obama in his various community and political campaigns; she also gave her time to the Luncheon is Served product marketing program, raising thousands of dollars for churches and nonprofit organizations throughout the Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson committed to her faith at a young age at Liberty Baptist Church, where she was an active participant in Sunday school, organized the church's official greeters, participated in the oratory program, and was named Golden Jubilee Queen for the church's 50th anniversary, which raised funds to support the church's educational program; as an adult, she attended Christ Universal Temple and taught Sunday school; she later joined Trinity United Church of Christ, where she served on the scholarship and community donations review committees; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson loved her independence and sharing knowledge; she will be remembered for living a life of determination, advocacy, passion, and deep love; and

WHEREAS, Loretta Johnson is survived by her daughter, Mekeda (Kevin) Johnson-Brooks; her granddaughter, Jasmin Brooks; her mother, Velma Wright; her sister, Antoinette Wright; her nephews, Joshua Alexander Sr. and Joshua "JC" Alexander Jr.; and a host of relatives, friends, fellow advocates, and colleagues; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Loretta Cecelia (Wright) Johnson and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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