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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF LAURENCE MSALL
WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was born in Chicago in 1962, to Emile and Lucile the eighth of ten children. Laurence attended St. Ignatius High School and Knox College. After graduation he moved to Springfield where he worked in the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs under Gov. Jim Thompson; and
WHEREAS, in 1990 Laurence joined the staff of the Commercial Club of Chicago as vice president, promoting regional economic development strategies and special projects including the Chicago Bears stadium and reorganization of the United Way of Chicago. Laurence earned his Juris Doctorate in 1992 at Loyola University School of Law, Evening Division; and
WHEREAS, Laurence returned to government in 1999, when then-Governor George H. Ryan appointed him Senior Advisor for Economic Development. In this position Laurence was responsible for the oversight of eleven of the state's economic development and infrastructure-related agencies; and
WHEREAS, Laurence became president of the Civic Federation, Illinois' century-old and leading voice for fiscal responsibility and government accountability, in January of 2002. During his twenty years as president, Laurence worked tirelessly to make the Civic Federation an indispensable source of reliable fiscal information and government process recommendations for Cook County and other public government bodies, the media, and the general public. Laurence was a strong mentor to a generation of Civic Federation staff, who have gone on to successful careers in government, philanthropy, and the private sector; and
WHEREAS, Msall is a member of the Board of He also serves on the Advisory Directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, the Chicago Civic Consulting Alliance, the Cook County Health Nominating Committee, and the Kennedy Forum of Illinois. Board of the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs and NPR Illinois Issues. He is an active volunteer with PADS Homeless Shelter and L’arche Chicago and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Knox College; and
WHEREAS, Laurence was a thoughtful and warm partner, avid advocate for fiscal responsibility and respected participant in the development of Cook County’s budgets over the years. His analysis and recommendations for the budget were admired and appreciated. The questions and suggestions put forward by Laurence and the Civic Federation helped guide our work and Cook County’s budgets were better for it. Lawrence offered important and different perspectives on our budgets, and we are eternally grateful for the time spent with him. The annual budget briefings will surely not be the same without him; and
WHEREAS, Laurence Msall was the gold standard on fiscal responsibility and reforms. Laurence was respected on both sides of the aisle and truly loved this county, and this state. Cook County and Illinois are better because of him. He influenced so many leaders and policymakers. His work will be felt for generations to come. He was loved by so many; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his work in the public sector Laurence was passionate about his family, and loved and cared for his eight children, Lucy, Camille, Matilda, Alex, Samantha, Thomas, Tess and Oscar and wife Nicola Hill; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the President and its members do hereby extend their gratitude for the courageous and fortified life of Laurence Msall as they offer their deepest condolences to his friends, family, and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Laurence Msall as an honorable expression of appreciation for his life and work.
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