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Tom Hynes

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Illinois

* Coming to this a bit late. Sorry for that. Rick Pearson at the Tribune…

From his 1970 win of a state Senate seat as a political upstart, Thomas C. Hynes’ gentle but lawyerly public demeanor belied his role in becoming one of the most influential Democratic forces in Chicago, serving as Illinois Senate president, Cook County assessor and a top member of the Democratic National Committee.

But it was in his role as 19th Ward Democratic committeeman, a post he held for three decades until 2005, that Hynes demonstrated the basic power of politics and public service by understanding and meeting the bread-and-butter concerns of constituents and organizing them into a huge political force. […]

The son of Irish immigrants, Hynes spent three years studying to become a priest at Quigley Preparatory Seminary. But he abandoned the idea and enrolled at Loyola University. He graduated in 1959 and three years later he graduated first in his class from Loyola Law School.

His first job as a lawyer was at one of the city’s most prestigious law firms, Jenner & Block. He later taught law at John Marshall Law School.

Though neither his father, a foreman at a chemical factory, nor his mother, a telephone operator, was politically active, family dinners often concluded with a debate about public policy.

* Steven Strahler at Crain’s…

The courtly, soft-spoken Hynes was a product of the 19th Ward organization and had a meteoric rise similar to House Speaker Michael Madigan’s, becoming Senate president in 1977 before the age of 40. In the wake of Mayor Richard J. Daley’s death, Hynes’ coronation was chaotic: It followed a six-week deadlock and 186 ballots.

The following year, Hynes chose to abandon the Springfield life, saying it took too much time away from his family. He ran for Cook County assessor and was elected to the first of five terms before quitting midway through the last one to pave the way, in Chicago fashion, for an anointed successor, Jim Houlihan.

“He was a strong part of the machine and regarded as such, but he was a reasonable guy and supporter of progressive ideas that other cohorts in the machine ignored—a more-open guy,” said political consultant Don Rose.

His son Dan, a former state comptroller and gubernatorial candidate, said, “People just saw him as somebody who could forge relationships. People trusted him.”

As a senator, Hynes was chief sponsor of legislation to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and drafter of homeowner exemption legislation that granted property tax breaks, his son said.

* Mark Brown at the Sun-Times…

But Hynes was also known as a very cautious politician, and he stayed put in the assessor’s job.

That changed in 1987 when he decided to run for mayor against Washington, who was seeking a second term after the racially-charged tumult of the Council Wars years.

Instead of competing in the Democratic primary, Hynes chose to run under the banner of the newly-created Chicago First Party.

The move was out of character for the risk-averse Hynes, and it ended badly.

Squeezed between Washington and former Ald. Edward R. Vrdolyak, who was running for mayor as the Solidarity Party candidate, Hynes’ campaign failed to catch fire, and he ended up dropping out less than two days before the election.

“I love Chicago enough not to be mayor,” he declared at the time, but his challenge to Washington created ill will in the African American community that lingered long afterward.

Dan Hynes, whose own defeat years later to Barack Obama for U.S. senator could be traced in part to that resentment, said it was a highlight of his father’s later years that he was able as a member of the DNC Rules Committee to support Obama in a fight over super delegates with Hillary Clinton.

* Beverly Review…

Visitation will be held May 8, from noon to 8 p.m., at St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be held May 9, at 11:30 a.m., at St. John Fisher. McGann and Son Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. […]

Hynes is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judith; his children, Cecilia (Cheever) Griffin, Thomas (Carol), Daniel (Christina) and Matthew (Mari); his grandchildren, David, Clare, Matthew, Benjamin, Anna, Charlie, Liam, Finley, Trudie and Thomas Joseph; and his brothers, Timothy and Jack.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to the Thomas and Judith Hynes Scholarship Fund at St. Ignatius College Prep at ignatius.org.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 1:52 pm

Comments

A class act. We could use more Tom Hynes’ types these days. Sincere condolences to the Hynes family.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 1:58 pm
One of those guys, like Phil Rock, you always thought would climb a couple more rungs up the ladder.

But times changed and the ladder got more crowded, and being a loyal organization solider wasn’t enough.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 2:11 pm
I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Tom Hynes for almost 12 years and I am saddened by his passing. He was a quiet giant, whose wise counsel and good humor were invaluable to me personally and professionally. When he started his law practice after leaving the Assessor’s office, DePaul University was one of his first clients. We were fortunate to have him on our side and he left a lasting impact on this place, in ways large and small, and for which he never sought credit or acclaim. He was a class act and I’ll never forget him.

Godspeed Tom, and thanks for taking me under your wing.

Comment by Peter Coffey Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 2:14 pm
Class person. Honorable. A true gentleman.

Good family person, loyal to the 19th Ward.

Godspeed.

My condolences to the Hynes family.

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 2:15 pm
To the Hynes family, thank you for sharing your husband, dad and granddad with the State, County and City for many years.

Comment by Scott Cross for President Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 3:08 pm
A class act. A classy family. Won’t be another like him.

Comment by Shytown Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 4:04 pm
An absolute class act and a real friend to many, Tom Hynes directly affected the lives of thousands in and out of the 19th Ward. Thank you Tom, for everything you did for so may of us. God Speed Tom and condolences to Judy, Leah, Tom, Dan and Matt for their loss.

Comment by qualified someone nobody sent Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 4:04 pm
He was always a friendly face and unassuming gentleman. More like him, please. RIP Tom Sr.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 4:09 pm
He took out Arthur Swanson, a commendable feat!

Comment by Smitty Irving Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 4:55 pm
He and Phil Rock were both a couple of classy gentlemen and fine public servants. Must have been the Quigley background they both shared. (I share that background, but it wouldn’t be classy to call attention to it.)

Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 5:22 pm
Tom was a very nice man, gave me excellent political advice and also had a great sense of humor. I used to see him on the train and he always made time for me. Never ever heard anybody say a bad word about him - and that’s saying something when you’re from the south side and you’re involved in politics.

Comment by John Dunn Tuesday, May 7, 19 @ 7:44 pm
RIP Ol Boy.

Comment by Hynes Guy Wednesday, May 8, 19 @ 6:15 am