CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT MAYOR
March 15,2023
TO THE HONORABLE. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1 transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Villegas, Hadden, Osterman, Knudsen, Tunney, Scott, Hopkins, Sigcho-Lopez, Rodriguez, Moore, Waguespack, Gardiner, Dowell and La Spata, a resolution honoring Laurence Msall.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we express our condolences at the passing of Laurence J. Msall, a vociferous advocate for the business community of the City of the Chicago and State of Illinois, an indefatigable fixture in legislative bodies and the media, and a giant in the world of Illinois fiscal policy; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in Chicago, Mr. Msall attended St. Ignatius High School before matriculating at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and then moved to Springfield to work for former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Msall returned to Chicago to enroll at Loyola University School of Law in the evenings, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1992, while also working for the Commercial Club of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Msall returned to Illinois government in 1999, when former Governor George H. Ryan appointed him Senior Advisor for Economic Development, where he oversaw several economic development and infrastructure-related state agencies; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Msall became president of the Civic Federation in 2002. During his twenty-year tenure with the Civic Federation, he worked tirelessly to make the Civic Federation an indispensable source of reliable fiscal information and government process recommendations to public officials, the media, and the general public; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Msall was known throughout the City for his reasoned and purposeful critiques on budgets, pensions, debt issues and policy proposals, and his persistence on fiscal responsibility; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Msall also threw himself into bettering his communities in other ways, by serving on boards and helping fundraise for such organizations as the NPR Illinois Community Advisory Board, Knox College, Woods Fund Chicago, Kennedy Forum of Illinois and L'Arche Chicago; and
WHEREAS, As a beloved advocate for good government, Mr. Msall formed relationships across party lines and was held in high esteem by politicians from all parties and from around the City and State; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Msall is survived by his loving wife, Nicola Hill; three adored daughters; Nicola's five beloved children and three grandchildren; eight siblings; and many other family memberg, friends, and colleagues who will continue to honor and treasure his memory; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled on this fifteenth day of March 2023, do hereby express our sorrow with the passing of Laurence J. Msall and extend our sincere condolences to his family and the countless lives he impacted, and honor his life and legacy in the City of Chicago and throughout the State of Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Laurence J. Msall's family as a symbol of our gratitude for his contributions and immense impact on the fiscal responsibility and good governance of the City, and as an expression of our deepest sympathy.