BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO:
Section 1. Pursuant to Section 2-8-040 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, which allows erection of honorary street name designations, the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation shall take the necessary action for standardization of West Twenty-Third Street, between South Central Park Avenue to South Lawndale Avenue as "Honorary Pastor Victor H. Rodriguez Way."
Ricardo Munoz, 22nd Ward Alderman
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect upon its passage and publication.
Date: March 12, 2019
Office of Budget and Management 121 N. LaSalle Room 604 Chicago, IL 60602
To Whom It May Concern:
I, Ricardo Mufioz, Alderman of the 22nd Ward, hereby authorize the Office of Budget Management to withdraw the funds associated with the cost of installation for the honorary street designation for Pastor Victor H. Rodriguez from my:
.Ward's annual menu program budget
□ Ward's aldermanic expanse allowance
Upon passage of this honorary street designation ordinance, pursuant to Section 2-8-040 of the Chicago Municipal Code.
Sincerely,
Born on January 16. 1967 in Nuevo Ideal, Durango Mexico, Victor Hugo Rodriguez was the eldest of four children born to Juana and Emigdio Rodriguez. Al the age of 10, Victor and his family left their home in Mexico and relocated to the Chicago neighborhood of Little Village, a neighborhood that would later capture his heart. Throughout his life, Pastor Vic - as he was affectionately known, remained a resident of Little Village, where he lived with his beautiful wife of 27 years, Magdalena Rodriguez, and raised his two sons and a nephew whom he regarded as a son, Victor (20), Isaih (17) and Luis Alberto Perales (21).
Pastor Vic's love for God and the Community was ignited at a young age after he and his family mistakenly stumbled into La Santisima Trinidad Lutheran Church. It was there that he developed a passion for sharing God's Love and where he met his future wife. It was this passion for Christ and community that led him to commit his life to service. Following his graduation from Christian Life College, Pastor Vic served in full time ministry for 26 years - 20 of which he spent faithfully pastoring at La Villita Community Church.
While Pastor Vic's service began in the Church, it was not confined to its four walls. He was passionate about getting his hands dirty working in the trenches to develop the next generation of indigenous leaders. Called to be a bridge builder. Pastor Vic was passionate about unity between the North and South Lawndale communities and served on boards throughout both neighborhoods including the Chicago Youth Boxing Club, Lawndale Christian Health Center, and Un Nuevo Despertar.
Pastor Vic was known for his loving personality, his compassion and empathy but also his great sense of humor. He enjoyed spending his time eating great food, watching movies, attending Chicago White Sox games, and when possible, on horseback. However, all he loved, he loved
more when doing it surrounded by community. His home was known to have an open door policy, and has continued to serve as shelter to countless individuals and families.
In all that he was. and all that he did, he was committed to speaking the truth, promoting justice, and love. Controversial at times, lie was unapologetically himself. He was a man of conviction who did what he did out of a love for God, his family and his community. He embodied the philosophy of: Love God. Love People. Nothing else matters.
Pastor Victor H. Rodriguez passed on February 11th, 2019
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR "PASTOR VICTOR HUGO RODRIGUEZ WAY
WHEREAS, Victor Hugo Rodriguez, born on January 16, 1967, in Nuevo Ideal, Durango Mexico, to his parents Juana and Emigdio Rodriguez; and
WHEREAS, as a young child Rodriguez and his family moved to the City of Chicago, to a community on the Southwest Side known as "La Villita" or "Little Village". Rodriguez grew to have a deep loved for the La Villita community: and
WHEREAS, Rodriguez first met his wife, Magdalena, in January of 1990 at Holy Trinity Church. Rodriguez invited her to his church youth group. As Magdalena entered the church doors Rodriguez turned to his friend Tony and said, "That is the woman I'm going to marry." A year later, Rodriguez made the journey down to Monterrey, Mexico to wed Magdalena; and
WHEREAS, he has been married to the beautiful Magdalena Rodriguez for 27
years. They were blessed with two sons and a nephew whom they regarded as a son, Victor
(20), Isaih (17), and Luis Alberto Perales (21); and
WHEREAS, Rodriguez is a graduate of Christian Life College in Mount Prospect, Illinois, and has been in full time ministry for 26 years. He has pastored the local body of La Villita Community Church for the past 20 years ; and
WHEREAS, due to his work in the La Villita community, Rodriguez became affectionately known as "Pastor Vic"; and
WHEREAS, while Rodriguez's service began in the Church, it was not confined to its four walls. He felt a sincere calling to assist in bettering his community and was passionate about developing the next generation of indigenous leaders; and
WHEREAS, Rodriguez was a cornerstone of the La Villita community and a man who truly loved everyone with whom he interacted. Rodriguez was a man who served the community in which he lived. Rodriguez was committed to speaking truth, doing justice, and loving his community; and
WHEREAS, Rodriguez would always say, "Everyone wants to save the world but no one wants to do the dishes." ; and
WHEREAS, Rodriguez's work addressed pressing community issues; from violence prevention and youth development, where he founded the Chicago Youth Boxing Club in the basement of La Villita Community Church; to health and wellness, where he served on the Board of Directors of Lawndale Christian Health Center; to domestic violence, where he served on the Board of Directors of Un Nuevo Despertar; to community development, where he participated with the organization Comunidad en Accion; to promoting home ownership among local
residents and stemming off gentrification, where he worked on a project to renovate dilapidated homes in Little Village; and
WHEREAS, Rodriguez passed on February 11th, 2019 surrounded by his family and friends.
WHEREAS, the Honorable Alderman Munoz. will establish the southwest corner of Millard Avenue and Twenty-Third Street as honorary " Pastor Victor H. Rodriguez Way"; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we the Mayor and the members of the City of Chicago City Council, assembled this Thirteenth day of March 2019, do hereby express our sincere gratitude for the community work and contributions of Pastor Victor Hugo Rodriguez throughout his life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Victor Hugo Rodriguez and the La Villita Community Church.
Ricardo Munoz, 22nd Ward Alderman