HR0261 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0261 LRB097 11352 KXB 53951 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the passing of Gregory A. Adamski of Chicago, who passed away on February 14, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Greg lived life with passion, for his wife, Karen Conti, who he adored, his family, his profession, his clients, for people, and for learning; and

WHEREAS, Greg was born on October 14, 1948 in Chicago's Marquette Park; he received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Xavier University and a law degree from Catholic University of America Law School in Washington, D.C., where he was a law review editor; after serving as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Richard B. Austin, he joined the law firm of Winston & Strawn, where he became a partner and developed the firm's first pro bono program; and

WHEREAS, Greg and his wife, best friend, and law partner, Karen Conti, hosted "Legally Speaking" on Sunday nights on WGN AM 720, discussing and debating legal issues in the news and fielding listeners' legal questions; and

WHEREAS, Greg and his wife were founding and managing partners in the Chicago law firm of Adamski and Conti LLC and taught at the University of Illinois College of Law; and

WHEREAS, Throughout nearly 40 years as an attorney, Greg tried hundreds of cases and argued more than 60 appeals, including one in the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the Cook County Democratic Party; in the 1990s, Greg and his wife, Karen, also represented serial killer John Wayne Gacy in the last set of his death row appeals; and

WHEREAS, In 2001, Greg received the first Elmer Gertz Award from the Illinois Bar Association for representing the poor and advocating civil rights; he received numerous awards and recognitions both as an outstanding attorney and for his radio shows on WGN and on other stations; and

WHEREAS, Gregory Adamski is survived by his wife, Karen Conti; his mother, Catherine Bandurski; his siblings, Mary Sue Thomas, Richard Adams, and Michael Adamski; and his son, Rik; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Gregory A. Adamski; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Gregory A. Adamski as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.