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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORY OF JUSTICE JOHN STAMOS
WHEREAS, John Stamos, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice, Appellate Justice and Cook County State’s Attorney, died January 28, 2017; and
WHEREAS, as Supreme Court Justice, Justice Stamos authored a number of key decisions, including the Himmel decision which set the moral standard for lawyers by mandating that attorneys report all forms of unethical activity and fellow lawyer misconduct; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos was born on the South Side of Chicago to Greek into a loving Greek family, Justice Stamos attended Bowen High School, DePaul University and DePaul University Law School;
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos in the army during World War II; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from law school, Justice Stamos worked as an assistant state’s attorney, in the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos rose through the ranks of the office, running the Criminal Division and eventually becoming First Assistant States Attorney. When Cook County State’s Attorney Daniel P.Ward was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court, Justice Stamos was selected the Cook County State’s Attorney; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos was known for his strong moral leadership and for frequently saying “do the right thing,” when reviewing cases; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos created an era of high moral standards and ethics in the Office of the State’s Attorney; and
WHEREAS, in February 1968, Justice Stamos was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Illinois Supreme Court in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos retired from the bench in 1989 and practiced law with his son Jim; and
WHERAS, Justice Stamos was a leader in the Chicago Greek community; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos’ first wife, Helen predeceased him in 1981; and
WHEREAS, Justice Stamos is survived by his wife, Mary “Daisy” Stamos; his children James Stamos, Theo Stamos, Colleen Stamos and Jana Dimartino; four sisters, Christine Gehopolos, Sophie Carres, Bessie Mashos and Zoe Rummel; four grandsons; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Justice John Stamos and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of John Stamos so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.end