RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of her passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A retired jurist and legislator, the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff was the loving wife of the late Clem Sr. and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff was the much-adored mother of the Honorable Clem Jr., Jane and the Honorable Robert, the grandmother of nine and the great grandmother of one to whom she imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that she possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her life the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff championed progressive causes, fought for social justice and attempted to help those who were poor and struggling; and
WHEREAS, Born Miriam Dweck in Brooklyn, New York to poor Jewish Syrian immigrant parents, she was raised in foster care; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff attended Hunter Junior College in Manhattan where she graduated as the valedictorian of her class; and
WHEREAS, After working as a union organizer in a light bulb factory in Ohio, the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff moved to Chicago where she married her husband in 1952; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff earned her undergraduate and law school degrees from the University of Chicago before opening a storefront law office; and
WHEREAS, In 1978 the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives where she proposed legislation to protect workers affected by plant closings and to remove the sales tax on food and medicine; and
WHEREAS, In 1986 the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County with the support of Mayor Harold Washington and served for 14 years on the bench; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To her beloved family, the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff 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-third day of May, 2018, do hereby commemorate the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff for her grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to her family; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of the Honorable Miriam D. Balanoff.