SR0090 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0090 LRB100 07920 KLG 17993 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Stephen B. "Steve" Luzbetak of Lockport, who passed away on January 13, 2017 at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Luzbetak was born in Joliet and was a lifelong Joliet-Lockport resident; he graduated from SS. Cyril & Methodius Grade School and from Joliet Catholic High School as Valedictorian in 1955; he attended Loyola University in Chicago, majoring in Political Science and Loyola University Law School, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity; he was a veteran of the United States Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Luzbetak was an active partner with Luzbetak and Caneva Law Firm in Lockport, which in 2016, celebrated 50 years of practice in Lockport; he started his career at Legal Aid in Chicago; he was active in politics, having served as Democratic Committeeman and Joliet Township Supervisor; he served on the Will County Board for 10 years, first from Joliet, then from Lockport, losing by one vote in the battle for Chairman of Will County; he ran for Will County Recorder of Deeds and Judge of the Circuit Court; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Luzbetak was a member and past president of both the Lockport Rotary Club and Lockport Chamber of Commerce; he served for 25 years on the Lockport Old Canal Days Committee; he also served on the boards of the Will County Historical Society, American Cancer Society, and the United Way; he was a member of the Will County and State Bar Associations; he was the former attorney for Ludwig, Kelvin Grove, Fairmont, and Chaney-Monge school districts, the Lockport Fire District, the Fire District Foundation, and the Channahon Park District; most recently he was the attorney for the Lockport Park District; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Luzbetak was a member of the Lockport Moose Lodge #1557, Lockport American Legion John Olson Post #18; the past president of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish and Holy Name Society; a current member of St. Dennis Church in Lockport; he was chairman for the 25th Anniversary of the Diocese of Joliet and was on the diocese First Diocesan Council; he was an avid golfer and poker player; his greatest joy was attending his grandchildren's activities; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Luzbetak was preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Anna (Matuszewski) Luzbetak; his first wife, Jacqlyn (Rushing) Luzbetak; his sister-in-law, Carol Rushing; his brother-in-law, Terry (Sara) Aversa; and a special uncle, Michael Matuszewski; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Luzbetak is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ann "Betty" (Banas) Luzbetak; his children, Judy (Dave) Ward, Mark (Kim Ross) Luzbetak, and Paul Luzbetak; his five grandchildren, Andy, Jake, Emma, Anna, and Sadie; his sister, Loretta (Pete) Murphy; his brother-in-law George (Barbara) Banas; his special aunt, Rita Matuszewski; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Stephen B. "Steve" Luzbetak, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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