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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Alderperson Theophelo "Tuffy"
4 Quinonez of the Rockford City Council, who passed away on
5 February 27, 2023; and
6 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez was born to Tiofilo M. and
7 Alberta M. (Martinez) Quinonez in Chicago on January 31, 1947;
8 he graduated from West High School in Rockford in 1965 and
9 attended Lincoln Barber College; he served in the U.S. Army;
10 and
11 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez was a retired barber shop
12 owner; and
13 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez became the first Latino
14 American elected to the Winnebago County Board in 1972; while
15 he lost his reelection bid, he was appointed to another term in
16 1978; and
17 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez served as alderperson of the
18 11th Ward on the Rockford City Council; he was first elected
19 2017 and then reelected in 2021; during his tenure, he worked
20 with city officials to secure accessible parking spaces in
21 front of the VFW at 922 7th Street and used his share of ward
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1 funding toward repairing streets and sidewalks in front of the
2 homes and apartments of senior citizens living in his ward; he
3 became known for his trademark greeting of "everything's good"
4 and was noted by colleagues for his unwavering support for
5 small business and the hospitality industry, his commitment to
6 serving his constituents, his ability to return a favor, and
7 his quiet political savvy; and
8 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez was the founder of the
9 Mexican Business Association; he was a member of the American
10 Legion, the Navy Club, Club Patriotico Mexicano (CPM), Lo Vox
11 Latina, the Latin American Community Organization, the
12 Association of Clubs, and the Broadway Business Association;
13 he was an active member of the VFW for decades, where he
14 volunteered to manage the cantina, help run various events,
15 and support veterans; he was also a delegate of the 7th Street
16 VFW in Rockford; and
17 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez was a man of strong faith;
18 he enjoyed attending flea markets and estate sales, playing
19 darts in dart leagues, and participating in car shows with his
20 1955 Buick; and
21 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez was preceded in death by his
22 mother; his brother, Thomas M. Quinonez; and his
23 sister-in-law, Josephine Carmona; and
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1 WHEREAS, Alderperson Quinonez is survived by his daughter,
2 Martine (Johnny) Guerrero; his grandchildren, Dominic and
3 Angelino Guerrero; his siblings, Celena Quinonez and Frank
4 Carmona; and his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins;
5 therefore, be it
6 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
7 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
8 Alderperson Theophelo "Tuffy" Quinonez of the Rockford City
9 Council and extend our sincere condolences to his family,
10 friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further
11 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12 presented to the family of Alderperson Quinonez as an
13 expression of our deepest sympathy.
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