Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0440

SR0440 LRB104 15576 ECR 28742 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jordan B. Rifis, who passed away on February 20, 2025 at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis was born to Albert and Edith Rifis in Chicago on March 26, 1945; he was educated at Austin High School, and he attended Roosevelt University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with a focus on literature, writing, and law in 1968; he later received his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law in 1971; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis began his legal career in insurance law but soon left that work to pursue his true passion, fighting for the underdog; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis practiced family law, workers' compensation, and personal injury law for more than 50 years, never retiring and offering his clients thorough representation until the very end of his life; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis was known for taking on clients who had been rejected by other attorneys, finding pride in applying the law to protect the vulnerable; he was always an advocate for justice, compassion, and fairness, and his career left a lasting mark on countless lives; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis enjoyed spending time with his Tuesday Golf Club, monthly poker nights, and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Oak Park; these communities provided him with lasting friendships, travel experiences across the country, and meaningful exchanges of ideas and perspectives; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis' friends will especially miss his warmth, his humor, and his presence as an articulate, ardent Democrat; and

WHEREAS, Jordan Rifis is survived by his wife of 37 years, Paula Cox; his sister, Lana (Al) Kushinsky; his children, Jennifer (Mark) Meng, Justin (Elizabeth) Rifis, and Jared (Morgan) Rifis; and his grandchildren, Jordyn, Nicholas, Quinn, Zoe, and Hudson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jordan B. Rifis and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jordan Rifis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.