HR0064 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0064 LRB096 10738 GRL 20923 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of our esteemed colleague, former Illinois Representative and Senator Thaddeus "Ted" Lechowicz, who passed away on January 5, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz was born on December 20, 1938; after graduating from Weber High School, he worked in a butcher shop to put himself through college, receiving an associate's degree from Wright Junior College and then a bachelor's degree in economics from North Park College in 1960; he then performed some graduate work at DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the United States Army as the Commander of Company A, 108 Supply and Transportation Battalion of the 33rd Division; he later served in the United States Army National Guard, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from college, Ted Lechowicz went to work as a systems analyst for the Cook County Circuit Courts; at the same time, he worked with the Democratic Party as a precinct captain; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1969, serving the people as Representative of Illinois' 17th Representative District; rising rapidly through the ranks, he served as Assistant Majority Leader during the 81st General Assembly and Assistant Minority Leader during the 82nd General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, Ted Lechowicz was elected to serve the people as Senator of Illinois' 6th Legislative District; once again displaying his natural aptitude for leadership, he rose through the ranks, serving as Assistant Majority Leader until his retirement in 1992; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure in the Senate, Ted Lechowicz served on many committees, including the Appropriations I, Executive, Executive Appointments and Veterans' Affairs, State Government Organization and Administration, and Transportation committees; he served as vice-chairman of the Elections and Reapportionment committee and served on the Economic and Fiscal Commission and the Legislative Space Needs Commission; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, Ted Lechowicz was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners, serving until 2002; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz was a member of numerous community organizations, including the Polish National Alliance, the Chicago Society, the Moose Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, Felician College, and the Lockwood Improvement Association; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz was the recipient of numerous awards from organizations such as the Young Democrats of Illinois, the Polish American Police Association of Chicago, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the AFL-CIO, the United Polish American Council, the Copernicus Foundation, the Wisla S.A.C., the Better Boys Foundation, and the Northwest Lions; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz is survived by his wife of 44 years, Suzanne; his son, Edward; his daughter, Laura; and his four grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Ted Lechowicz will be remembered by his former colleagues, former constituents, and loved ones as a forceful and effective legislator and as a warm and caring man; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of our former colleague, Thaddeus "Ted" Lechowicz; and be it further

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