SR0574 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0574 LRB102 20963 LAW 29859 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Amy Szczepaniak, who passed away on July 2, 2021 at the age of 53; and

WHEREAS, Amy Szczepaniak was born to Susan and Kazimierz Szczepaniak in Cleveland, Ohio on May 26, 1968; she then moved to Joliet, where she was raised along with her sister, Anna, and brothers, Michael and Philip; she attended St. Paul the Apostle Grade School and the St. Francis Academy; she graduated from Northern Illinois University; she later earned a law degree from DePaul University; and

WHEREAS, Amy Szczepaniak's intelligence and empathy compelled her towards a career representing those who could not represent themselves, defending the legal rights of the mentally ill as a staff attorney for the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and navigating the volatile world between disability and the law with respect and dignity; and

WHEREAS, Amy Szczepaniak possessed an uncanny ability to understand and communicate with animals, from riding horseback in the mountains of New Mexico to sharing her home with many pet companions over many years, providing excellent care through sickness and old age and always ensuring them an optimal and thriving life; and

WHEREAS, Amy Szczepaniak was a devoted life partner to Anne Horrigan, and they dedicated their lives to each other and shared their love and admiration for 22 years; their relationship was a common source of inspiration and happiness to those around them; and

WHEREAS, Amy Szczepaniak was preceded in death by her father; and

WHEREAS, At the time of her death, Amy Szczepaniak was survived by her mother; her life partner, Anne Horrigan; her sister, Anna (Peter) Harlan; her brothers, Michael (Renae) Szczepaniak and Philip Szczepaniak; her step-mother, Doris Szczepaniak; her former sister-in-law, Mariclaire O'Connor; her niece and nephew, Erin and Sam Szczepaniak; and her nephews, Jonah, Quentin, and Theo Harlan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Amy Szczepaniak 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 Amy Szczepaniak as an expression of our deepest sympathy.