RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber are very pleased to congratulate our friend and colleague, Susana A. Mendoza, upon her election as Illinois Comptroller; and
WHEREAS, Susana A. Mendoza was first elected as City Clerk in 2011, and was serving in her second term when she was elected last month to lead the Illinois Comptroller's office, the first Latina to do so; and
WHEREAS, Like so many of the pillars of our community, her parents were immigrants, having moved to Illinois from Mexico; and
WHEREAS, Susana A. Mendoza was born on the southwest side of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, She distinguished herself on the soccer field, earning All-State and All-Midwest honors in varsity high school soccer, was the first female on the Bolingbrook High School Wall of Fame, went to Northeast Missouri State University on a soccer scholarship, and earned All-Midwest honors in college soccer; and
WHEREAS, She distinguished herself academically, being awarded an academic scholarship to go to Northeast Missouri State University and earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business; and
WHEREAS, When she was only 28 years old, Susana A. Mendoza was first elected State Representative, making her the youngest member of the 92nd Illinois General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, She served six terms as a State Representative, where she was recognized for her leadership and legislation on social services, education, law enforcement, job creation, and animal welfare; and
WHEREAS, The citizens of the City of Chicago twice elected Susana A. Mendoza as City Clerk, the first time a woman had been elected to the position; and
WHEREAS, Her advocacy on behalf of animal welfare led to the passage of the Companion Animal and Consumer Protection Ordinance, which banned Chicago pet stores from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless those animals are sourced from humane shelters or animal rescue organizations; and
WHEREAS, Susana A. Mendoza revolutionized the 105-year-old City Sticker program by successfully transitioning 1.3 million customers from an inefficient system, which required all applicants to renew in the same month, to an efficient system that allows customers to renew throughout the year, resulting in better customer service, lower wait times, lower costs, and more revenue; and
WHEREAS, As a result of technological advancements she implemented, Susana A. Mendoza was the first City Clerk to reduce fees; and
WHEREAS, Her proper pronunciation of names during City Council meetings has been respectful and deeply appreciated; now, therefore;