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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of John D. Cooney Sr., who passed away on
4February 23, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Cooney was born on August 8, 1954; he was
6raised in Oak Park and graduated from Fenwick High School; he
7earned his Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University in 1976
8and his Juris Doctor from Loyola University School of Law in
91979; and
 
10    WHEREAS, John Cooney initially worked as a prosecutor with
11the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in the Felony Trial
12Division from 1979 until 1985; he then joined his father,
13Robert Cooney Sr., as a trial lawyer at the firm known today as
14Cooney & Conway, LLP in Chicago; he became an eminent trial
15attorney at the firm, leading one of the country's premier
16legal practices specializing in representing individuals who
17have been injured as a result of asbestos-related disease; he
18served as chairman in more asbestos bankruptcy proceedings
19than any other attorney in the United States and obtained more
20the $20 billion in awards for victims of mesothelioma as well
21as other clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases;
22and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, John Cooney's commitment and tireless advocacy on
2behalf of clients seeking justice helped shape how asbestos
3victims are treated by the legal system, impacting the lives
4of thousands of people around the world; he was known as an
5absolute force in Illinois and across the country, not only in
6representing his own clients but also in advocating for
7victims' rights; he was universally recognized by attorneys
8and judges around the country as a man of integrity, decency,
9and honor; and
 
10    WHEREAS, John Cooney was a regular visitor to the General
11Assembly in Springfield, advocating on behalf of injured
12people across Illinois; his mere presence at the witness table
13inspired confidence in his allies and consternation among his
14opponents; and
 
15    WHEREAS, John Cooney was involved in several
16organizations; he was a member of the University of Chicago
17Medical Center's Board of Trustees, the founding chairman of
18the American Bar Association Mass Torts Litigation Committee,
19and an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers
20Association, where he served as president from 2014 to 2015;
21he additionally gave his time and resources generously to a
22number of institutions and scores of other charitable causes;
23and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, John Cooney was known for his larger-than-life
2personality, his intellect, his wit, his humor, and his love
3of life; and
 
4    WHEREAS, John Cooney was the husband of Barbara Cooney for
535 years; the father of Elizabeth (Matt Caraher), Devitt
6(Bess), and Bobby (Hutton); the brother of Bob (Loretta) and
7the late Nora (Richard) Cooney Marra; the son of the late
8Robert and Noreen Cooney; the uncle and cousin of many; and the
9friend of countless individuals; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
12John D. Cooney Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his
13family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
14further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the family of John Cooney as an expression of our
17deepest sympathy.