SR0195 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0195 LRB101 11441 ALS 57107 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

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

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans was born in Chicago on July 3, 1935; in high school, he was a State Latin Champion, and he partnered with his father in bridge tournaments around the region, often winning despite being the youngest to compete; he graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1957; within weeks of his graduation, he married Lois M. Morrison and joined the United States Navy, having attended college on an NROTC scholarship; he was stationed in Pearl Harbor and resigned his commission as a Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans worked as an assistant to Tom Watson at IBM; in 1967, he left IBM to form the first single-bank holding company in Illinois and purchased 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; from 1973 until 1978, he served as Chairman of LaSalle National Bank, where he handled the bank's sale to ABN; in 1994, along with his daughter Jennifer, he formed Financial Investments Corporation (FIC); and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans believed 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; he took particular pride in being the only male named to the Ravinia Women's Board; in 1998, he started the Steans Family Foundation with his wife and daughters; 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 residents; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Steans was awarded an honorary doctorate by DePaul University and the Order of Lincoln, the State's highest award; he enjoyed tennis, games, and clever word play; he will be remembered for his entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, booming laugh, unfailing sense of humor, keen intellect, and his caring interest in all around him; and

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