SR0188 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0188 LRB101 11448 MST 57219 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harrison I. Steans, who passed away on February 26, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans was born in Chicago on July 3, 1935; he spent his childhood in Lake Bluff and Springfield; his early years were marked by the energy, intellect, and achievement that would characterize his entire life; in high school, he was a champion in the Illinois State Latin Tournament, and he partnered with his father in bridge tournaments around the region, often winning, despite being the youngest to compete; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans attended Princeton University on a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship; he graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics; he married Lois M. Morrison and joined the Navy within weeks of graduating; he was stationed in Pearl Harbor and resigned his commission as a Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans went to work as an assistant to the legendary Tom Watson at IBM; after several invigorating years, he left IBM in 1967 to form Illinois' first single-bank holding company to purchase the Hyde Park Bank & Trust; during his tenure as chairman, the organization grew from a single $40 million bank to a six-bank holding company with assets exceeding $1.8 billion; in 1987, the bank holding company was sold to NBD Corporation, now part of the J.P. Morgan Chase organization; from 1973 through 1978, he served as Chairman of the LaSalle National Bank, where he handled the bank's sale to ABN; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, Harrison Steans and his daughter, Jennifer, formed the Steans family investment firm, Financial Investments Corporation (FIC), to make private equity investments; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans believed strongly in giving back; he served on many non-profit boards, including the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club, the Chicago Humanities Festival, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and The Ounce of Prevention Fund; he also served as a Life Trustee of DePaul University, Highland Park Hospital, and the Ravinia Festival; having enjoyed being a part of the Ravinia family for many decades, he took particular pride in being named the only male member of the Ravinia Women's Board; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, Harrison Steans started the Steans Family Foundation with his wife, Lois, and his three daughters, Jennifer, Heather, and Robin; for nearly 30 years, the foundation has worked hand in hand with the North Lawndale community to promote stronger education, employment, health, and safety for its residents; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans was awarded an honorary doctorate by DePaul University, the Order of Lincoln, and many other business and civic awards as well; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans will be remembered by all who knew him for his entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, booming laugh, unfailing sense of humor, keen intellect, and his caring interest in all around him; and

WHEREAS, The family of Harrison Steans will remember his love of tennis, games of all sorts, clever word play, as well as his outsized personality and boundless love and enthusiasm; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans is survived by his sister, Adeline Morrison; his wife of 61 years, Lois; his daughters, Jennifer (Jim Kastenholz), Illinois State Senator Heather (Leo Smith), and Robin (Leonard Gail); his grandchildren, Ryan, Sam, Abby, Jessica, Leah, Sydney, and Nick; and many beloved nieces and grand-nephews and grand-nieces; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans will be remembered by all who knew him not just for his many and significant accomplishments, but for his personal integrity, sense of social justice, and his warmth and playful sense of humor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harrison I. Steans 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 Harrison Steans as an expression of our deepest sympathy.