SR0126 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0126 LRB103 31216 LAW 58149 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Philip "Phil" Cowan of Glenview, who passed away on February 16, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Phil Cowan was born in Chicago on March 23, 1939; he was the son of Cecil and Irving Cohen and the twin brother of Ned Cowan; he graduated from the University of Illinois in 1961; he received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law; and

WHEREAS, After law school, Phil Cowan served in the U.S. Army, and he eventually became an officer in the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) of the U.S. Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, Phil Cowan practiced law at Berger, Newmark, and Fenchel, P.C. for more than six decades; during that time, he chaired the firm's Labor and Employment Group and served as director, vice president, and treasurer before ultimately becoming the firm's managing partner; and

WHEREAS, Phil Cowan was an active participant in the Midwest Friends of the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, an international non-denominational program providing financial support to the Center, which has empowered over 2,500 physically disabled men, women, and children to participate in physical and psychological rehabilitation through sports to attain the goal of leading productive and successful lives; and

WHEREAS, Phil Cowan loved golfing, but he never kept score, valuing the time he shared with his family and friends as what mattered most; and

WHEREAS, Phil Cowan was known for his larger than life personality and for instilling in all that knew him a zest for gracious living and the importance of family and lifelong friendships; his love and devotion to his wife, Arleen, and his family were clear, as he praised their achievements and accomplishments every chance he could; and

WHEREAS, Phil Cowan was the husband of Arleen Cowan for 62 years; the father of Lisa (Chris) Junker and Senator Laura (Michael) Fine; the grandfather of Ashley, Allie, and Joshua Junker and Jeremy and Jacob Fine; the great-grandfather of Jason and Jessica; the brother of Ned (the late Linda) Cowan and Eleanor (Arnold) Leib; and the brother-in-law of the late Jerry (Judith) Malkin; 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 Philip "Phil" Cowan 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 Phil Cowan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.