Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SR0407

SR0407 LRB104 15193 ECR 28337 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lori T. Healey of Chicago, who passed away on May 3, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey was born to Colonel Stephen Thomas of the United States Army and Linda (Sigley) Thomas in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1959; she received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Science in Public Administration from Kansas State University; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey devoted her professional life to public service, urban development, and community building; she began her career as a policy aide to Kansas Governor John Carlin in 1983; she served as chief of staff and commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development under Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, overseeing over $1 billion in economic development investments; she served as deputy director for Business Development and chief of staff of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Community Affairs under Governor James R. Thompson and Governor Jim Edgar; through this role, she was instrumental in Build Illinois, the State's largest infrastructure and development plan; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey later led Chicago 2016, the bid for the city to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games, and the 2012 NATO and G-8 summits in Chicago; she served as senior vice president and executive project officer to the Obama Foundation in 2020, overseeing the design and construction of the Obama Presidential Center; she also served as CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, spearheading major developments, including the Marriott Marquis Chicago and Wintrust Arena; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey also worked in the private sector, including serving as president of Clayco's Chicago Business Unit, as CEO of Tur Partners, and as a principal in the Development Group for the John Buck Company and at Perkins&Will; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey was deeply involved in civic organizations, serving on many of Chicago's most prominent boards, including the Chicago Fire Department Foundation, Choose Chicago, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, the Chicago Sports Commission, the Chicago Urban League, the City Club of Chicago, Navy Pier, Chicago Architecture Foundation, and World Business Chicago; she was also an advisory board member of the Loyola University Health System, the Civic Consulting Alliance, and the Civic Federation; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey was recognized as a Distinguished Alumna by Kansas State University, and she was also honored with the Game Changer Award at the 37th Annual Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey was an experienced horsewoman who competed in dressage at a national level, and she was an avid supporter of all Chicago sports teams; she enjoyed golfing, downhill skiing, and traveling; she loved sharing good food and wine with family and longtime friends; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey committed her life to her community and to the empowerment of women and children; she was known for her strategic vision, dogged determination, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to the city she loved; she leaves behind a legacy of achievement and leadership that will continue to inspire; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Stephen A. Thomas; and

WHEREAS, Lori Healey is survived by her children, Ramsey (Christina Kozaya) Al-Abed and Emily (Steve Lewis) Thompson Lewis; four grandchildren; her partner, Walt Eckenhoff; and a wide network of friends, colleagues, and mentees; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lori T. Healey and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lori Healey as an expression of our deepest sympathy.