RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi was a widely admired member of the law enforcement community and the loving husband of Carol; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi was the much-adored father of Joseph Jr. and the grandfather of two to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi was the dear brother of Arthur, George, Gloria and Joyce; and
WHEREAS, A native of the Northwest Side, Joseph DiLeonardi was raised near Belmont and Central avenues and attended Steinmetz High School where he was a stand-out athlete; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi was a member of the University of Illinois at Chicago Baseball Hall of Fame and was the school's most valuable player in 1950 and 1951; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi initially pursued a career in baseball before he was struck in the eye by a baseball during a tryout with the New York Yankees; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi began a highly distinguished career in law enforcement with the City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, A leader of unparalleled integrity, Joseph DiLeonardi was the head of the Chicago Police Department's homicide unit before becoming Acting Superintendent of Police in 1979; and
WHEREAS, As Chicago's top cop, Joseph DiLeonardi promoted minority officers in unprecedented numbers to exempt positions to increase diversity in the department; and
WHEREAS, Fondly known to his many colleagues as "Joe D", Joseph DiLeonardi later headed the O'Hare Airport police detail; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi retired in 1991 from the Chicago Police Department after 36 years of service; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi worked briefly for the Cook County Sheriffs Office before being named U.S. Marshal in Chicago by President Bill Clinton; and
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi stepped down as U.S. Marshall in 1999; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of Joseph DiLeonardi serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Joseph DiLeonardi imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-second day of February, 2017, do hereby commemorate Joseph DiLeonardi for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph DiLeonardi.
Alderman - 14th Ward