SR1225 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1225 LRB103 42711 ECR 75947 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Illinois Attorney General Tyrone C. Fahner of Northfield, formerly of Evanston, who passed away on September 16, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner, the son of Warren and Alma Fahner, was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 18, 1942; he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a law degree from Wayne State University Law School, and a master's degree in criminal justice from the Northwestern University School of Law in 1971, where he also received a distinguished Ford Foundation Fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner became an assistant federal prosecutor in the early 1970s, where he headed the official corruption section; he led the 200-member task force that investigated the 1982 deaths of seven Chicago-area residents from ingesting Tylenol cold capsules tainted with cyanide; he had a long and successful career in private practice at the prestigious Chicago law firm Mayer Brown LLP, serving on the management committee from 1985 to 2007, as co-chair from 1998 to 2001, and as chairman from 2001 to 2007; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner was a dedicated and passionate public servant; he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, the Director of the Illinois Department of Law Enforcement, and Attorney General of the State of Illinois from 1980 to 1983; he also chaired the finance committee of the Illinois Republican party and served as president of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago from 2010 to 2017; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner was active outside of politics, serving in a variety of roles dedicated to causes important to him; he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the John G. Shedd Aquarium, director at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and a member of the Corporate Advisory Committee for the University of Michigan; he served as an appointee of President George W. Bush on the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad from 2007 to 2023 and as an appointee of President Ronald Reagan to the Board of Foreign Scholarships from 1988 to 1991; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner enjoyed cars, dogs, fishing, and anything to do with the University of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner loved his country, helping others, connecting people for the collective good, and spending time with his family, especially his wife; he was a respected leader who served as a mentor to many and held a deep commitment to service; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Tyrone Fahner was the husband of Anne Marie Fahner for 58 years; the father of Margaret (Andrew Bielecki) Fahner, Daniel Fahner, and Molly (Benn Calhoun) Fahner; the grandfather of eight grandchildren; the brother of Warren (the late Elizabeth "Betty") Fahner and Allan (Kathy) Fahner; the uncle of eight nieces and nephews; and the brother-in-law of Suzanne (George} Beauchamp; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Illinois Attorney General Tyrone Fahner 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 Tyrone Fahner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.