Chicago Area

Retired Lake County Circuit Court Judge David Hall, who also was a devoted supporter of the local YMCA and a member of a rock and roll band, died May 20 surrounded by his family.

He was 61.

The lifelong Waukegan resident, who in 2011 was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is survived by his wife, Karen, a daughter and three sons.

“Judge David Hall was a man of superb intellect and marvelous wit who never let go of his fascination with history and love of music, particularly rock and roll,” Chief Judge John Phillips said Wednesday.

“In the courtroom he strove to ensure that every litigant, attorney and witness left his courtroom knowing that the judge had truly listened to what they had to say and that his decision was justly based on the law and the evidence that was presented,” Phillips said.

Hall was appointed to the bench as associate judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit in 1989.

Following a contested primary election in 2000, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Hall as circuit judge to fill the vacancy created by the death of then Circuit Judge Jack Hoogasian. Hall was then successfully elected to two, six-year terms as a circuit judge.

Jordan Jay Hillman, 89, died on April 8, 2014 after an eight-and-a-half-year journey with Alzheimer's. Born in Waukegan in 1924, he was known to friends and colleagues as "Jay." He served during World War II as an Army Air Corps navigator in the Eighth Air Force Unit and liked to reminisce about flying. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Political Science, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago and later received a Doctor of Juridical Science from Northwestern University. 

He was vice-president and general counsel for the Chicago and North Western Railway and joined the law school faculty at Northwestern in 1966. In 1975 he took a temporary leave from teaching and served as general counsel for the U.S. Railway Association. 

He pursued many social causes beyond his chosen profession and served on the Evanston school board as well as the CTA board and various boards related to the arts. He was strongly committed to humanitarian endeavors, expressing his deepest convictions and principles through both philanthropy and service. He was a lover of nature, animals, children, walking, and classical music, played the clarinet, and after retirement, joined a chamber group. 

During the last five years of his life, he lived in Oak Park and was surrounded by his loving family, friends, and caregivers. His book, The Torah and Its God: A Humanist Inquiry was published in 2001 and embodies his deep respect for scholarship, humanism, and Judaic history. 

Former ISBA Counsel Joseph P. Marto passed away on Feb. 28, 2014. He was born on March 18, 1938 in Great Falls, MT. After living in Shelby Montana, he was raised in Oregon and Washington finally settling in Sprague in Lincoln County.

He entered the seminary in 1954, and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Spokane in 1963, receiving his M.Div. Degree. He worked in several parishes until he became Diocesan Director of Religious Education. In 1971, he left the active ministry and married Rosemary Gaffney.

They moved to Chicago, where he attended The John Marshall Law School, receiving his J.D. degree in 1974 in the top 10 of his class. His legal career began in Springfield, IL as house counsel for the Illinois State Bar Association.

From there, he moved to various firms in Chicago, primarily as a trial attorney for insurance defense firms. He obtained a Real Estate Broker 's license in 1976, and owned several apartment buildings. He retired to McHenry IL in 1989, and began an active life of volunteering. He first organized a computer class for Seniors at McHenry Township and then became involved in the AARP Tax Aide Program preparing free taxes for Senior Citizens. He also ran a free legal aide program at Senior Services for several years.

After 15 years in the AARP Tax Aide program, he became ill in January and died on February 28, 2014. A memorial service will be held at the Church of Holy Apostles in McHenry on Thursday, March 6, 2014 with a gathering at the Church Chapel at 10:00 and Mass at 10:30. Joe is survived by Rosemary, his wife of 42 years, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

Joseph Paul Koucky, 76, of Indian Head Park, has passed away. Joe was a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School.  He was a member of the Worker’s Comp. Lawyer’s Assn. and the Bohemian Lawyers.  He was also a loyal Cubs fan. 

Beloved husband of Margaret.  Loving father of Daniel (Kristen) and Ellen Koucky.  Devoted brother of Marilyn Meyer and the late Robert Koucky.  Fond brother-in-law of Bill (late Dorothy) Gelderman.   Dear uncle of many. 

Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to UNG Make-A-Wish Fund, P. O. Box 1599, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 in memory of Joseph Koucky appreciated.  Funeral home phone 708/352-6500 or www.hjfunerals.com