RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Joseph George DiLeonardi was born in Calvello, Basilicata Italy on March 31, 1932 to Dorothy and Gerardo DiLeonardi. As the second of five children born of this marriage, the family migrated to the northwest side of Chicago and settled in the Belmont/Cragin community; and,
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi attended the local Chicago Public Schools, graduating both from Mary Lyon Elementary School and Steinmetz High School (January 1950). While attending Steinmetz, in 1948, he played in the City High School Championship baseball game at Wrigley Field. Shortly thereafter, he attended Wright College and continued his education at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier; and,
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi joined the University of Illinois baseball team in 1950, hitting .355 with on base percentage of .478. He played first base and outfield, where he compiled a .959 fielding average. As captain of the squad in 1950, he led his team to an 11-5 record. He earned the team's most valuable player honor in both 1950 and 1951; and,
WHEREAS, In 1952, Joseph DiLeonardi was drafted into the U.S. Army and trained at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There, he was honored as Most Outstanding Trainee. He was assigned to the Military Police and received a promotion to Staff Sergeant. In 1955, after serving his country he joined the Chicago Police Department; and,
WHEREAS, Although best known as a prominent Homicide Detective, Joseph DiLeonardi held positions in Exempt Rank as a City Wide Homicide Commander, City Wide Commander Gang Crimes, as well as 19m District Commander at Belmont and Western, Deputy Superintendent of Investigative Services, Deputy Superintendent of Community Services, and Acting Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. During his career in Homicide, he was known for his thoroughness in investigating cases and his services were sought throughout the Chicago area. He consulted and was personally involved in several nationally prominent murder cases and consulted with officials in England and Australia. Joseph DiLeonardi retired in 1991 after serving nearly 36 years with the Chicago Police Department; and,
WHEREAS, During his years with the Chicago Police Department, Joseph DiLeonardi was approached several times to write a book about some of his cases and in 1980, working with Richard Whittingham, 'Joe D., On the Street With a Chicago Homicide Cop" was published; and,
WHEREAS, Days after retiring from the Chicago Police Department, Joseph DiLeonardi returned to police work as a top investigator for Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan until on June 6, 1994 when President William Clinton appointed him United States Marshall, Northern District of Illinois; and,
WHEREAS, After serving 44 years in law enforcement, Joseph DiLeonardi retired in 1999; and,
WHEREAS, While Joseph DiLeonardi was a homicide detective, he met his wife Carol at Rosen's Men's Wear on Belmont Avenue. They married in 1966 and have one son, Joseph, Jr., who married Andrea. They have two children, Giada and Joey; and,
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi has received several recognitions. In July 1991, he was honored as an inductee of the University of Illinois Navy Pier Hall of Fame for excelling in his profession of law enforcement. In November 1991, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at the University of Illinois of Chicago, and in 2014, he was inducted into Steinmetz Hall of Fame; and,
WHEREAS, Joseph DiLeonardi also loves running. He has run 34 marathons including Chicago, Boston, and The Marine Corp. in Washington D.C. He ran his last marathon at the age of 75; and,
WHEREAS, In retirement, Joseph and his wife, Carol like to travel, hike, play golf and enjoy their son's family; and now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this 15th day of April 2015 A.D., do hereby commend Joseph George DiLeonardi for his many accomplishments and his compassion to his family, friends, and acquaintances; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation to Joseph George DiLeonardi.
Alderman, 36tn Ward
Ariel E. Reboyras Alderman, 30th Ward