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Record #: R2021-1336   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 12/15/2021 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 12/15/2021
Title: Tribute to late William J. Harte
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2021-1336.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, William J. "Bill" Harte has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 90; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, Bill is survived by his four daughters, Gerre Anne (William Greeson) Harte, Jennifer (Douglas Noyes) Harte, Meghan (Chris Wilhelmi) Harte and Stephanie (Danny Higgins) Harte; and proud grandfather of Crea Wilhelmi, Nell Harte, Jude Wilhelmi, Jada Noyes, Aiden John (AJ) Noyes, Olivia Higgins, Penelope Higgins; and

 

WHEREAS, Bill was born and raised on the westside ofthe City of Chicago, the son of Edward J. Harte, a police officer and Clare Salvadora Banks Harte, a hornemaker; and

 

WHEREAS, He graduated from Quincy College in 1954 where he received his Bachelor's Degree in History and became captain of the football team having never played before college, playing both offensive and defensive end, and winning induction into the QU Hall of Fame in 1985; and

 

WHEREAS, After serving in the Army, Bill earned his law degree in 1959 from Notre Dame Law School; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1960, Bill opened his law office, William J. Harte, Limited specializing in Negligence, Tort, Chancery, Securities, Trial, Appeals, and Tax; and

 

WHEREAS, Bill went on to have tremendous successes in almost every area of the law. His accomplishments defined or established new legal tenants in areas as diverse as attorney discipline, aviation law, civil rights, class action, criminal and constitutional law, human rights, judicial discipline, probate, reapportionment, voting rights, workers compensation and zoning; and

 

WHEREAS, Bill was a brilliant lawyer; thinker, and a powerful political strategist. He was a lawyer's lawyer, the best ofthe best and one ofthe best trial lawyers in Illinois; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1972, Bill became President ofthe Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois, and in 1975 he became the President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Some of Bill's other memberships were the Chicago, South Suburban, West Suburban, Illinois State, Federal and American Bar Associations, Women's Bar Association of Illinois, and the Celtic Legal Society of Chicago; and

 

WHEREAS, To his beloved family, William J. Harte imparts a legacy of generosity, compassion, devotion to family and unwavering faith in God; now, therefore

 

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members ofthe Chicago City Council, assembled this Fifteenth day of December, 2021, do hereby commemorate William J. Harte for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and

Alderman, 14lh Ward

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William J. Harte.