SR1295 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1295 LRB103 43166 MST 76428 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert A. "Bob" Helman of Hyde Park, who passed away on October 4, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Bob Helman was born to Nathan and Ester (Weiss) Helman in 1934 and grew up on the West Side of Chicago; he graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; he received his bachelor's degree and juris doctor from Northwestern University; he was discharged from the United States Army in 1958 and married Janet Williams; and

WHEREAS, Bob Helman began his legal career after his military discharge, joining Isham, Lincoln and Beale as its first Jewish lawyer; he moved his practice to Mayer Brown in 1967, serving as chairman from 1984 to 1998; he led the firm through a period of significant challenges and drove Mayer Brown to diversify and grow; it more than doubled in size under his leadership, and he remained a partner through 2023; throughout his career, he took pride in devoting time to civic and charitable causes, embracing his responsibility as a citizen and member of the community; and

WHEREAS, Bob Helman enjoyed a full life, built around his family, a distinguished legal career that spanned 65 years, and service to his community; and

WHEREAS, Bob Helman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet; his children, Marcus (Karen Smith), Adam (Rachel Krause), and Sarah; his grandchildren, Benjamin Smith-Helman (Alayna Held) and Bailey Smith-Helman; and his sister, Marjorie (Lawrence) Kravitz; 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 Robert A. "Bob" Helman 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 Bob Helman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.