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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
JAMES E. RYAN, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called Jim Ryan from our midst on June 12, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan was the beloved husband of 54 years to his high school sweetheart, Marie, nee Pahls; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan was the devoted father of John (Stacie), Jim (Jennifer), Matthew (Melissa), Amy, the late Patrick, and the late Ann Marie; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan was the proud grandfather of Caitlyn, Joey, Sarah, Grace, Emma, Stella, Elly, Sophie, Sam, Michael, and Molly; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan was the cherished brother of Maria (Terry) Koch and Margaret (John) Noldan; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan was the dear uncle to Terry (Stacey) Koch, Tom (Kim) Koch, John Noldan, Katie (James) Chivilo, Jenny (Pete) Jahn, and Maggie (Dan) Gallagher; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan was born in Chicago and grew up in Villa Park. His father, Edward, was a homebuilder, and his mother, Elisa, was an Italian immigrant and homemaker; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan graduated from St. Procopius Academy, now Benet Academy, and what is now Illinois Benedictine University before getting his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan started his legal career with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and was promoted to first assistant state’s attorney after three years; and
WHEREAS, in 1976, Jim Ryan left his state’s attorney job to enter private practice; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, Jim Ryan ran for DuPage County State’s Attorney-a position he held for three terms; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, Jim Ryan won the election for Illinois Attorney General, and in 1998, he easily won again; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan endured a string of personal tragedies and challenges, including the deaths of two of his children, nearly losing his wife to a heart illness, beating cancer three times, and recovering from heart surgery; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan founded the Center for Civic Leadership at Benedictine University to bolster student involvement in civic life; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ryan and his family sponsored annual events, raising money for brain-tumor research and for families dealing with suicide; and
WHEREAS, perhaps out-shadowing all of Jim Ryan’s political accomplishments is the way he lived his life-through family, faith, and service to others.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jim Ryan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to the family of Jim Ryan so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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