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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HONORABLE HOWARD (HOWIE) CARROLL
WHEREAS, Howard ("Howie") W. Carroll, age 79, died on October 1, 2021. He was a born leader, statesman, voice for the voiceless, and storyteller extraordinaire. He was born in Chicago to the late Barney and Lyla Carroll. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Roosevelt University, studied in the first master’s degree program in Urban Studies at Loyola University Chicago, and received his law degree from DePaul University College of Law. He practiced law in Chicago, Illinois and was of counsel to Kamensky Rubinstein Hochman and Delott, LLP; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll was sworn into the Illinois House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973 and the Senate in 1973, where he served for 26 years from 1973 to 1999. He chaired the budget process for 16 years, was the longest serving budget chair in Illinois history, and became known as the person to see regarding the operations of Illinois and local governments. Subsequently, Sen. Carroll also gained recognition for his knowledge on health care and its delivery system in this state. He authored numerous bills focusing on equal rights and human rights, including the first in the country Hate Crimes bill, the first to include sexuality in the Human Rights Act, and CHIP, Illinois’ Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan. While his achievements were many, all were accomplished with a keen wit and contagious laugh; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll was elected the 50th Ward Chicago Democratic Committeeman and served in that capacity for 20 years; he also served as Treasurer for both Cook County and the Chicago Democratic Central Committees. Previously, Sen. Carroll served, through Presidential appointment, as the U.S. Representative on the Executive Committee of the Atlantic Alliance of Young Political Leaders. He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who of World Political Leaders, Oxford's Who's Who, and Marquis' Who's Who, amongst other publications; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll was affectionately known as the Forrest Gump of politics for his meetings with Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Mother Teresa, for his help stopping the Nazis from marching in Skokie in 1977; and
WHEREAS, on January 27, 2016, Senate President John Cullerton reappointed Carroll a member of the State Government Suggestion Award Board for a term expiring January 11, 2017. The State Government Suggestion Award Board administers the program that rewards state employees and members of the general public with a cash award for suggestions to improve the operation of state government that result in substantial monetary savings to the state; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll held a professorship on the complemental faculty of Rush College, having lectured in the Master’s Program of Health Administration. He also lectured to many national associations on the art of negotiating, health care delivery, and in the areas of governmental operations and fiscal controls. On a local level, Sen. Carroll lectured in the areas of the laws of various governmental entities, real estate taxation and zoning, and advising business enterprises on governmental regulations, contracting, and hearing processes; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll was a founder, Corporate Secretary, and member of the Executive Committee of Chicago Fiber Optics Corp. (d/b/a Metropolitan Fiber Systems of Chicago, Inc.); Metropolitan Fiber Systems (which became World Com, now MCI); Midway Air Transportation; and Midway Airlines. He was the Corporate Secretary, Board Member and General Counsel to InfrAegis, Inc., a company which develops Homeland Security products to protect facilities and save lives; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll was a family man and deeply devoted to his Jewish faith. He served as Vice Chairman of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago for a period of time and was seated on its Board of Directors. Sen. Carroll also served as Vice Chair of the Board of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, a performing arts venue in Skokie, Illinois that he helped create. He was also a Trustee of Michael Reese Health Trust and an Officer of the Weiss Memorial Hospital Foundation as well as on the Board of several other charitable institutions; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Carroll is survived by his beloved wife Eda Carroll nee Stagman, daughters Jacqueline (Louis Bernstein) Carroll and Barbara Carroll (Dan) Delano and granddaughters Lillian and Alyssa. He is predeceased by his late brothers, Ira L. and Earl A. Carroll.
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 Howard Carroll, 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 Howard Carroll.
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