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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED RESOLUTION - HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DANIEL LEVIN
WHEREAS, Daniel E. Levin,founder and chairman of The Habitat Company, passed away at the age of 94 on January 11, 2025 at his home in Winnetka, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Levin received a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Chicago. One of his first jobs was as a lawyer at a small firm in Detroit, where he represented the Chicago company that planned and developed Lafayette Park, designed by Mies van der Rohe. In 1957, he moved to Chicago and became involved with the firm that developed all the Mies van der Rohe-designed apartment buildings, which was a catalyst for his venture into the real estate world; and
WHEREAS, In 1971, Mr. Levin founded The Habitat Company which became a respected real estate development and property management company. In 1987, Levin and The Habitat Company were appointed receiver of the Chicago Housing Authority Scattered Site housing development program. In that capacity, Habitat oversaw the revitalization of nearly 2,800 public housing units citywide; and
WHEREAS, Levin was a member of the Leadership Council of the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, a long-serving trustee of WTTW/WFMT, and vice chairman of the board of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. He was a board member of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and was honored for his commitment to civic leadership both by the college and by the American Jewish Committee; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Levin was an admired mentor and a generous leader who gave freely of his time, knowledge, and trust. As the visionary behind Habitat, he prioritized building solid connections that fostered meaningful relationships and exemplified unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical decision-making. His principled approach emphasized that doing the right thing is paramount, regardless of public opinion; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Levin took pride in many things; however, none more important than his family. Levin is survived by his beloved wife, Amb. Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.), his son, Joshua (Josh) and his wife, Debra, of Washington, D.C.; his daughters, Judith (Jil) Deheeger and her husband, Jean Pierre, of Winnetka, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Bernardaud and her husband, Michel, of Paris, France; 11 grandchildren: Michael (Ashley Moy-Wooten), Steven (Gisselle Mejia), Marc, William, Charles, Emma, Pierre (Marie Altmayer), Lucy, Benjamin (Marta Zarzeka), Ethan and Arye; and two great-grandchildren. Survivors also include his adoring stepchildren Alyssa Rapp (Hal Morris), Jeffrey Rapp (Amanda Kane) and their children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, does hereby honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Daniel Levin and express our deepest gratitude for his vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence and the profound mark he left on Cook County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Daniel Levin as a symbol of our respect, admiration, and heartfelt condolences
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