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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Caroline Jean (Lyczak) Downs of Oak
4Park, who passed away on March 15, 2022 at the age of 75; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs grew up on her family's farm
6outside of Woodhull and attended Alwood High School; she
7earned her bachelor's degree from Lawrence University in
8Wisconsin and obtained her Master of Social Work from Smith
9College in Massachusetts; during her college years, she served
10as an intern at the former Billings Hospital, which was
11located on the campus of the University of Chicago; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs spent her early working years as a
13drug and alcohol counselor for employees at U.S. Steel's South
14Works plant in South Chicago; she later started her own
15private counseling practice, which lasted for more than 30
16years; and
 
17    WHEREAS, In 1987, Caroline Downs joined the clinical staff
18of the Cathedral Counseling Center; throughout her career, she
19seized many opportunities for professional development; she
20worked until her passing; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs advocated for social justice

 

 

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1causes and was active in local progressive politics; she
2campaigned for Rudy Lozano, who became Chicago's first Mexican
3American alderperson in 1982; she also contributed to Betty
4Van Wyk's mid-1980s upset victory to become Oak Park's
5township clerk; through the former race, she also met her
6future husband, Michael Lyczak; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs enjoyed multiple hobbies,
8including reading, playing and studying piano, solving
9crossword and jigsaw puzzles, entertaining, and cooking; she
10was appreciated for her cinnamon rolls and her hearty laugh by
11friends and family; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs was passionate about learning her
13family history, leading her to travel to Scotland's Isle of
14Islay on two separate occasions to experience where her
15ancestors once lived; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs was preceded in death by her
17brothers, Duncan and Thomas Downs; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Caroline Downs is survived by her husband,
19Michael; her son, Michael Benjamin Lyczak; and her sister,
20Mary Elizabeth Dickerson; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL

 

 

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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
2Caroline Jean (Lyczak) Downs and extend our sincere
3condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
4her; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Caroline Downs as an expression of
7our deepest sympathy.