SR0690 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0690 LRB103 36584 MST 66693 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Suzanne "Susy" Woods of Springfield, who passed away on December 8, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods was born to Laverne and Maxine (McCastle) Kauling in Salem on June 11, 1948; she graduated from Ursuline Academy with the class of 1966; she received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a doctorate from Walden University; she married David Dean Woods on September 4, 1976; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods worked as a public policy and education liaison with the Illinois Assistive Technology Program in Springfield; she retired from the Illinois Department of Revenue, where she worked as a computer operator; she previously worked at the University of Illinois at Springfield as Director of Disability Services, where she was also an adjunct professor; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods was a champion and passionate advocate for children and adults with disabilities in Illinois; she was a registered lobbyist who sought laws and policies that benefited children and adults with disabilities; she served on the Illinois State Task Force on Employment and Economic Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and also served on the Illinois State Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities; she was on the boards of IMPACT Center for Independent Living in Alton and the Arc of Illinois; she was involved with many other groups, including NAMI-Illinois, United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois, and the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities' Partners in Policymaking; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods was a skilled and effective special education advocate who assisted children with disabilities and their parents and guardians from all over Illinois; she assisted thousands of families in IEP meetings;; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods was completely dedicated to her family and many friends, and she was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods was preceded in death by her parents, Laverne and Maxine Kauling; her beloved grandmother, Belle McCastle; and her great-nephew, Elijah Kauling; and

WHEREAS, Susy Woods is survived by her husband, David Woods; her daughter, Rachael (Rob) Macropoulos; her son, Adam (Leslie) Woods; her sister, Diane (Mark) Steinhauser; her sister, Tia (John) Schoen; several nieces and nephews; her grandchildren, Isabella (Alex) Schmidt, Sofia Macropoulos, Cecelia Macropoulos, and Hudson Macropoulos; and her great-granddaughter, Athena Burnom; 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 Susy Woods 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 Susy Woods as an expression of our deepest sympathy.