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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HONORABLE ARTHUR L. BERMAN
WHEREAS, the Honorable Arthur L. “Art” Berman, one of the longest-serving state Democratic legislators in Illinois, died on June 8, 2020 at the age of 85; and
WHEREAS, as a lifelong resident of the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods, Art graduated from Senn High School, the University of Illinois, and Northwestern Law School, class of 1958, where he earned a position on the Law Review. He was a respected attorney and community leader; and
WHEREAS, Art became interested in politics at an early age when he became a precinct captain in 1955 at the age of twenty. He won twenty-two elections for public office, serving in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1967-1976 and in the Illinois Senate from 1977-2000. He was widely recognized as “the Education Senator” for championing improved schooling for the children of Illinois as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee; and
WHEREAS, State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) reflected on his colleague, “Art Berman will be remembered as a champion in Illinois for equity in public education. As a former policy staffer for the Senate Democrats, it was during (Art’s) tenure leading the Education Committee, that I first came to understand the monumental political and policy challenges of school funding reform. Senator Berman’s unfaltering voice for equity during his tenure in the Illinois Senate carved the path for the passage and implementation of SB 1947 - The Invest in Kids Act - in the summer of 2017. He will be deeply missed.”; and
WHEREAS, Art was a proud board member of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the Anti-Defamation League, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, Emanuel Congregation, and numerous other civic, legal, legislative, educational, and Jewish organizations and committees; and
WHEREAS, true to his Chicago roots, Art was a lover of the Chicago Bears but he was also athletic himself and enjoyed a competitive game of tennis; and
WHEREAS, Art often reflected how lucky he was to have such a wonderful life with a caring wife, terrific children and grandchildren. He is the beloved husband and best friend for almost 30 years of Barbara, nee Dombeck; loving father of Adam (Robyn) Berman and Marcy (Joe) Padorr; adored "Pop Art" of Josh (Zoie) Berman, Amanda (Drew) Schwartz, Alex Berman, Jake and Jeremy Padorr; devoted son of the late Morris and the late Jean Berman; dear brother of the late David Berman and the late Steven Berman; fond brother-in-law of the late Kenny (Janice Glenn) Dombeck; treasured uncle and friend to many.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, honors the life and contributions of the HONORABLE ARTHUR L. BERMAN, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; 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 the HONORABLE ARTHUR L. BERMAN.
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