WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow, prominent Chicago developer, attorney at law and a well-known and respected philanthropist and patron of the arts passed away on December 12, 2017 at age ninety; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, born Irvin Inger in Wayne County, Michigan, Lewis "Lew" Manilow was given up for adoption by his parents and resided in an orphanage for one year; and
WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow was removed from the orphanage and adopted by Chicago developer Nathan Manilow and his wife Minette; and
WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow grew up on the North Side of Chicago and received his education at Senn High School before enrolling at the University of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, after transferring to the University of Chicago where he earned his Bachelor's Degree, Lewis "Lew" Manilow went on to receive a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1951; and
WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow took an early and active interest in Chicago's divergent artistic, theatrical and cultural life; and
WHEREAS, in 1956, Lewis "Lew" Manilow moved to New York City to produce Sean O'Casey's "Purple Dust" at the Off Broadway Cherry Lane Theater; and
WHEREAS, upon re-settling in Chicago, Lewis "Lew" Manilow established a resident theater company in the Studebaker Theater and distinguished himself as one of the city's most influential art collectors and as a generous philanthropist to many worthy initiatives on behalf of museums, galleries, and theaters; and
WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow was a life trustee at the Art Institute of Chicago and actively promoted its acquisitions and collections throughout his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow co-founded the Museum of Contemporary Art, and was instrumental in the re-development of the Oriental and Cadillac Palace in the Randolph Street theater district; and
WHEREAS, Lewis "Lew" Manilow's drive, determination and generous support helped facilitate the Good...
Click here for full text