Record #: R2023-421   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 3/15/2023 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 3/15/2023
Title: Tribute to late John D. Cooney
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2023-421.pdf

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, John D. Cooney has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 68; and

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

WHEREAS, John was the beloved husband of 35 years to the love of his life, his wife Barbara Cooney, loving father to their children Elizabeth (Matt Caraher), Devitt (Bess), and Bobby (Hutton), dear brother of Bob (Loretta) and the late Nora Cooney, devoted son of the late Robert and Noreen Cooney, and is survived by his many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as countless dear friends; and

WHEREAS, Growing up in Oak Park, Illinois, John was a graduate of Fenwick High School; and

WHEREAS, He received degrees from Georgetown University and the Loyola University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, John was a trial attorney at Cooney & Conway, LLP in Chicago, where he led one of the country's premier legal practices specializing in representing individuals who have been injured as a result of asbestos-related disease; and

WHEREAS, His commitment and tireless advocacy on behalf of clients seeking justice helped shape how asbestos victims are treated by the legal system, and has impacted the lives of thousands of people around the world; and

WHEREAS, John served as President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association as well as Chairman of numerous court-appointed committees representing asbestos victims; and

WHEREAS, At the University of Chicago Medical Center, he served on the Board of Trustees for a number of years, and his expansive philanthropy has quietly supplied support to hundreds of charitable initiatives; and

WHEREAS, John was universally recognized by attorneys and judges around the country as a man of integrity, decency, and honor; and

WHEREAS, To his beloved family, John 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 of the Chicago City Council, assembled this fifteenth day of March, 2023, do hereby commemorate John 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 John D. Cooney.

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M. Burke                     (

Edward M. Burke Alderman, 14th Ward