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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF THOMAS VERDUN
WHEREAS, Tom was born on December 10, 1952, in Pontiac, Illinois, the fourth of seventeen children born to Emma T. and Thomas A. Verdun of Odell, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Tom earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from Illinois State University and a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, preparing him for a distinguished legal career that spanned over 46 years of dedicated public service; and
WHEREAS, Tom served with profound distinction as an Assistant Public Defender in the Office of the Cook County Public Defender, handling hundreds of complex cases, earning profound respect from colleagues, judges, and community members for his meticulous preparation, steady demeanor, and unwavering commitment to fairness and due process; and
WHEREAS, Tom served more than 15 years as a member of the Homicide Task Force, and defended numerous clients on capital cases, establishing himself as a fierce advocate for restorative justice and a champion for the underswerved.
WHEREAS, after retiring from the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, Tom committed the last twenty plus years of his life as the Director of Legal Services at the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy in Evanston.
WHEREAS, In this role he tirelessly mentored and defended the rights of countless Evanston youth, pursuing justice with relentless energy and impacting the lives of individuals who would otherwise have been overlooked; and
WHEREAS, Tom Verdun passed away suddenly at his home in Evanston, Illinois, at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy defined by his immense kindness, steadfast advocacy and unwavering commitment to justice; and
WHEREAS, everyone who crossed Tom’s path felt his impact through his work, his kindness and his profound belief in the potential of others; and
WHEREAS, Tom is survived by his partner of 38 years, Fe Fernandez, along with 10 sisters, 6 brothers, 46 nieces and nephews, and 65 great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom cherished him for the boundless kindness and generosity he extended to everyone he encountered; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, does hereby honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Tom Verdun; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Tom Verdun, a symbol of our respect, admiration, and heartfelt condolences.
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