Harry Leinenweber Explained

Harry Leinenweber
Office:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Term Start:June 3, 2002
Term End:June 11, 2024
Office1:Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Term Start1:December 17, 1985
Term End1:June 3, 2002
Appointer1:Ronald Reagan
Predecessor1:Seat est. by 98 Stat. 333
Successor1:Mark Filip
State House2:Illinois
District2:42nd
Alongside2:W. Robert Blair, George Sangmeister, LeRoy Van Duyne, Jack Davis
Term Start2:January 1973
Term End2:January 1983
Predecessor2:James R. Washburn
Thomas R. Houde
C. R. "Russ" Hamilton
Successor2:Suzanne Deuchler
Birth Name:Harry Daniel Leinenweber
Birth Date:3 June 1937
Birth Place:Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Chicago Illinois, U.S.
Party:Republican
Children:5
Education:
University of Chicago (JD)

Harry Daniel Leinenweber (June 3, 1937 – June 11, 2024) was an American jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Education and career

Leinenweber was born in Joliet, Illinois. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1959 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 1962. He was in private practice in Joliet from 1962 to 1986. He was a city attorney of Joliet from 1963 to 1967. He was a special prosecutor in Will County, Illinois from 1968 to 1970. He was a special counsel for the Village of Bolingbrook, Illinois, from 1975 to 1977. He was a special counsel for Will County Forest Preserve, Illinois in 1977. He was a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983.[1] [2]

Federal judicial service

Leinenweber was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on November 7, 1985, to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 16, 1985, and received his commission on December 17, 1985. He assumed senior status on June 3, 2002.

In 2022, Leinenweber presided over R. Kelly's sexual abuse trial in Northern Illinois. At the time of his death, he had been presiding over the ComEd corruption trial involving Anne Pramaggiore, which he had placed on hold in early 2024.

Personal life

Leinenweber married Representative Lynn M. Martin in Washington, D.C. on January 7, 1987.[3]

Death

Leinenweber died of lung cancer at his Gold Coast home, in Chicago, on June 11, 2024, at the age of 87.[4]

Sources

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Notes and References

  1. News: 'Illinois Blue Book 1981-1982,' Biographical Sketch of Harry D. Leinenweber, pg. 152.
  2. Web site: Our Campaigns - Candidate - Harry D. Leinenweber . 2024-06-13 . www.ourcampaigns.com.
  3. News: Congresswoman Marries Judge . . Washington . AP . 1 . 1987-01-07 . 2024-06-20 . Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: Sneed . Michael . Seidel . John . Judicial giant Harry D. Leinenweber dies at 87: 'He understands ordinary people and has great common sense' . . June 11, 2024.