title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RECOGNIZING 37 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE FOR JOSÉ LÓPEZ
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners wishes to recognize and celebrate the retirement of José López, an exemplary public servant whose distinguished career in State government spans thirty-seven (37) years of dedicated service to the people of the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, José López began his public service career as a Public Aid Caseworker, demonstrating early on his commitment to public service and advocacy for vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, José López has held numerous leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including serving for four years as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services and Director of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, as well as Chief of the Bureau of Latino Relations and the Statewide Translations Section under the Department of Public Aid’s Ombudsperson; and
WHEREAS, José López has provided invaluable service to the State of Illinois through his participation on the Governor’s Office of New Americans, the State of Illinois Latino Family Commission, and the Central Management Services Hispanic Employment Plan Council; and
WHEREAS, José López currently serves as Chief of the Office of Latino Services for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where he is a policy-formulating administrator overseeing all Latino services and related issues for the agency, and where he provides trusted advice and recommendations to the Deputy Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on matters affecting Latino communities; and
WHEREAS, José López’s passion for public service extends beyond government, as evidenced by his longstanding leadership within the Latino community, including service as Midwest Vice-President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States, LULAC State Director for Illinois, and Past President of the Illinois Association of Hispanic State Employees; and
WHEREAS, José López has further demonstrated his unwavering commitment to community advocacy by serving on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Illinois Migrant Council, Central States SER, Chicago Bilingual Nurses Consortium, and the Chicago Día de los Niños Parade Committee, as well as previously serving on the boards or advisory bodies of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, Por un Barrio Mejor, Midwest Coalition in Defense of the Immigrant, Latinos for a Healthy Illinois, Illinois Association of Agencies and Community Organizations on Migrant Affairs, Catholic Charities of Chicago Latino Advisory Committee, and the Illinois Association of Healthcare Interpreters; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, José López has been a tireless advocate for equity, access, language justice, and the advancement of Latino families across Illinois, leaving a lasting impact on public policy, community empowerment, and public service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and commend José López upon his retirement for his thirty-seven (37) years of outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the State of Illinois and its residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be prepared and presented to José López as an honorable expression of sincere gratitude and admiration for a lifetime of service and impact.
end