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Len Lieberman

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Illinois

* I don’t think I knew anyone at the Statehouse who loved their job more than Len Lieberman loved his. Len was the Jewish Federation’s lobbyist and he took his responsibility seriously as his faith’s top liaison to Illinois’ government. But he was also an incredibly kind person, a humble man with a genuine smile for everyone. A mensch in the truest sense of the word.

Len stayed out of politics because he lobbied both sides of the aisle and, before that, had worked for the state. But he proudly sent me an email back in 2014 with the announcement that these were his first two yard signs in 40 years, “two people I know personally and respect,” he said…

* Many, if not most members of the General Assembly never got to know Len because he’s been retired for so long. I feel sorry for you…

Len was born in Chicago on September 23rd 1947. There he attended Mather High School before graduating from Northern Illinois University in 1969. Len worked for ten years at both the Department of Transportation and Department of Corrections. He then found his dream job as a lobbyist for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the statewide Jewish Federations for 29 years.

A community activist, Len was a prior President of Congregation Temple Israel and the Springfield Jewish Federation, among other board positions. He was a founding volunteer with the local Parents Anonymous chapter, and B’nai B’rith Lodge #67 when it was re-founded, later served on the boards of Oak Ridge Cemetery and the State Journal Register’s Advisory Committee. Among his accomplishments Len was named Professional of the Year, given a Lifetime Achievement Award, honored as Alumni of the Year by his alma mater, and upon his retirement had the Len Lieberman Professional of the Year award named for him by the Jewish Federations of North America. In retirement he became active in the LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning, serving as president in 2017-2018 among other leadership roles.

What Len treasured most in his later years were his relationships with the individuals he mentored, his many bridge and poker groups, and the annual get-together with his fellow NIU alumnists.

Len often said that when he died, celebrate his life rather than mourn his death.

His family asks that you contribute to your local Jewish Federation or Temple Israel in his name. Also, make a point to do something fun and kind. I’m sure he’d like that…

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 3:12 pm

Comments

Sad to read this. Len was a great guy. I knew his late wife through her work with the ISBE. Both gone way too soon.

Comment by Nearly Normal Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 3:20 pm
May his memory be a blessing

Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 3:20 pm
I’m so sorry to hear of Len’s passing. He was so kind and fun to be with. Per his wishes, I will always remember his sense of humor and his kindness to others. What a great person. May his memory be a blessing.

Comment by Paul Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 3:21 pm
I’m sorry to hear this. We never worked together, but had many conversations around the rail. Len was a true Mensch.

Comment by Jonathan Goldman Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 3:52 pm
I did not know Mr. Lieberman but condolences to his family. I miss that era of Illinois politics - a time when both sides showed more respect and camaraderie. I also caught an obit for another prominent long time member of the Senate. Howard Carroll. One would be hard pressed to find another member more knowledgable about the state budget.

Comment by Stones Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:02 pm
Liked Len a lot. Met him in 1995. Whenever we saw each other we talked baseball. He found a baseball card of my all time favorite player once. Tracked me down and gave it to me. Rest In Peace big man. Too young.

Comment by Galway Bay Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:04 pm
Len was a wonderful mentor to many folks around the rail, and always a pleasure to talk with. May he rest in peace.

Comment by Linus Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:08 pm
what a loss for everyone. may his memory be a blessing.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:13 pm
Great guy, great lobbyist and great sense of humor. He was always ready to help no matter what he asked to do. Going to miss him so much.

Comment by Give Me A Break Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:13 pm
Len was a great lobbyist and friend. He was also a great alum of NIU and convened a Springfield chapter of fellow alums. The White Sox was another love. He got this Cubs fan to go with him to NIU day at a Sox game.

Like Topinka, he was relentless in pursuit of his objectives. I will always appreciate how he helped me through the loss of my wife and made sure we frequently had dinner together where we would exchange war stories. COVID limited us to one last get together several months ago. I’ll miss him.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:46 pm
===He got this Cubs fan to go with him to NIU day at a Sox game.===

He was definitely a proselytizer for the Sox. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:54 pm
Such a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor. It was always pleasure to work with Len.

Comment by Daisy Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 4:57 pm
Rich, your comments are so on point. He was a well respected gentleman in this sometimes gritty business. As so often happens, it is not until someone passes that we give these fine folks get the praise they deserve.

Comment by Old Lobster Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 5:01 pm
I’ll always be grateful for Len teaching me the ropes when I got to Springfield. Nothing in it for him other than the joy he found in helping others succeed. A real mentsch indeed.

Comment by Poor Miller Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 6:26 pm
I saw the link and thought “oh no!” Len was always a good guy to work with back when I was doing Human Service Appropriations or Education. This Catholic girl will light a candle for him.

Comment by Jeanette Malafa Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 7:02 pm
A true mensch. In 2012, I moved to Springfield for grad school a few months after interning for the Jewish Federation’s government affairs office in D.C. At the time, literally everyone at JUF told me I had to meet this guy Len, who had recently retired as JUF’s legendary lobbyist. The final nudge came from Ron Michaelson in the middle of his lecture at UIS, when he learned of my ties to JUF. When I finally built the courage to send an email introduction to Len, his response a few minutes later was “dinner together tonight, Saturday, or Tuesday?” And I still remember him rolling up the restaurant in a convertible with “SHALOM” vanity plates. Such a gracious gesture to a fellow Member of the Tribe who was new in town and a little homesick.

Comment by Marc K. Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 7:45 pm
Sad news …the good ones are always gone to soon. Godspeed sir.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 9:04 pm
Len was long active in LLCC’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL). He was debating the world’s issues just a few weeks ago at the group’s chili luncheon. I knew he didn’t feel well but he always had that smile on his face. Rest in peace, my friend!

Comment by Joe Schmoe Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 9:35 pm
All the kind words written about Len are true. As an avid listener of talk radio in Springfield, I enjoyed listening to Len’s insightful and intelligent calls! He left us much too soon.

Comment by watchdog Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 10:39 pm
Didn’t he drive a covertible with the license plate SHALOM? If so, great guy. Always smiling and waving at fellow lobbyists.

Comment by JustJR Monday, Nov 15, 21 @ 11:54 pm
When I first met Len back in the 90’s he had black hair. He was always an eye drop for the red eyes days at the long days at the Capitol.

Comment by Moi Tuesday, Nov 16, 21 @ 8:41 am