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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Blanca Delia Hernandez of Chicago, who 
4passed away on February 12, 2025; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Blanca Hernandez was born in Morovis, Puerto 
6Rico, and she was raised in Jayuya; at the age of 22, she moved 
7to Chicago, where she met her husband, Gilberto Hernandez, and 
8they settled in the Lincoln Park neighborhood; she was a 
9resident of Chicago for 73 years; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Blanca Hernandez worked as an educator for 
11Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for 24 years and served as a stout 
12advocate for education in the Latino community; alongside her 
13husband and siblings, she also helped establish the first 
14financial institution to serve Latinos in Chicago, the 
15Caballeros de San Juan Credit Union; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Blanca Hernandez was a dedicated member of St. 
17Michael's Parish, where she established the first Spanish Mass 
18to provide Puerto Ricans with a home base in the community; 
19after she and her family later moved to St. Sylvester Parish, 
20she volunteered for many activities, including as a teacher in 
21the church's Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) 
22program; and
 
 
 
SR0153- 2 -LRB104 12427 ECR 22722 r

1    WHEREAS, Blanca Hernandez was a force to be reckoned with 
2and an exemplary mother; she was known for her strength and 
3determination to persevere through any obstacle, overcoming 
4any challenge by utilizing her wisdom, patience, and faith; 
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Blanca Hernandez was preceded in death by her 
7husband of 27 years, Gilberto; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Blanca Hernandez is survived by her children, 
9Tati (Michael) Needleman, Quitty (James) Hernandez, Ana Maria 
10(Francisco) Accove, Gilberto (Yolanda) Hernandez II, Marta 
11Hernandez, Orlando (the late Darlene) Hernandez, and Susana 
12(Dave) Sheeran; 13 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren; 
13therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
16Blanca Delia Hernandez and extend our sincere condolences to 
17her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
18further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the family of Blanca Hernandez as an expression 
21of our deepest sympathy.