Record #: R2022-273   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 3/23/2022 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 3/23/2022
Title: Tribute to late J. Ira Harris
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2022-273.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, ]. Ira Harris has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 83; and

 

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

 

WHEREAS, Ira is survived by his wife, Nicki, his three children, Bradley, Jackie, Jon, and his six grandchildren; and

 

WHEREAS, He was a native of Bronx, New York, and graduated from the Dewitt Clinton High School; and

 

WHEREAS, Ira graduated from the University of Michigan in 1959 where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration; and

 

WHEREAS, After graduation in 1959, Ira landed a job at Jacques Coe, and then moved to Chicago in 1964 to become partner in charge ofthe Midwest Operation of Blair & Company; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1969, he joined Salomon Brothers as a General Partner and served as a member of its Executive Committee from 1978 to 1983, and served as a Director of Philbro-Salomon; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1988, Ira joined Lazard Freres & Company as a Senior Partner and opened their Chicago office; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1998, he formed J.I. Harris & Associates, a financial consulting firm while becoming Vice Chairman of The Pritzker Organization during the same time period; and

 

WHEREAS, Ira and his son, Jon founded Alternative Investment Management LLC to invest on behalf of his family and the Pritzkers, which has turned into a leading investment management platform; and

 

WHEREAS, Ira was a longtime supporter of his alma mater, the University of Michigan ("Michigan"), where the football team's locker room bears his name and that of his wife, Nicki. The couple also funded Michigan's Schools of Business and Public Policy, and also supported the Norton Museum of Art and the Palm Beach Civic Association; and

 

WHEREAS, To his beloved family, Ira imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members ofthe Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-third day of March, 2022, do hereby commemorate Ira for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and

 

 

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

Alderman, 14th Ward