Former State Treasurer and Cook County Appellate Court Justice Frances J. Lorenz Services Sunday and Monday

Former State Treasurer and Cook County Appellate Court Justice Frances J. Lorenz Services Sunday and Monday
Kathleen Bergan Schmidt, Chairwoman of the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee, has sent out an email concerning the Thursday death of transplanted Chicago politician Francis J. Lorenz.

Lorenz, who lived in Lakewood's Turnberry subdivision, was appointed state treasurer in 1960 and defeated for the office by Republican Bill Scott in 1962. A rematch for the office of attorney general in 1968 also saw Scott come out on top.

Lorenz had family in Crystal Lake and was passionately concerned with the treatment of a grandchild at school, according to a friend who conferred with him in the 1990's.

Locally, Lorenz was associated with Zukowski, Rogers and Flood, if my memory serves me correctly.

Here is Bergan Schmidt's email:

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Justice Francis J. Lorenz on Thursday evening.

Justice Lorenz was the 2007 Recipient of the Democratic Party of McHenry County's Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement. As was stated on the 2007 program:

Retired Illinois Appellate Court Justice Francis Lorenz began his career as a lawyer for the city of Chicago. He became a leading authority in eminent domain law, and led efforts for land acquisition for O'Hare Airport and the Skyway Bridge. He was elected Clerk of the Superior Court of Cook County in 1956, then Cook County Treasurer in 1958. He was appointed Illinois State Treasurer in 1960. In 1963 he became Director of Public Works and Buildings, where he oversaw construction of the Chicago area's toll roads and major highways. Justice Lorenz was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court, First Judicial Circuit in 1970, where he served until his retirement in 1992.

Justice Lorenz was a generous supporter of our local Democratic Party and was quite pleased with the recent growth in Democratic strength in our county. The Democratic Party of McHenry County has lost a great friend.

A floral arrangement has been sent on the behalf of the party. Thus far, I know of 3 members of the Democratic Party of McHenry County who will be attending the visitation and/or funeral mass for Justice Lorenz. If you would like to do likewise,

visitation will be from 3 to 9 PM on Sunday, June 29, at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Avenue, Crystal Lake. On Monday, June 30, there will be a service at 9 AM at Davenport Family Funeral Home, followed by Mass at 9:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church , 451 W. Terra Cotta, Crystal Lake.

Unfortunately, Lorenz retired so long ago there is very little information about him on the internet.

Posted first on McHenry County Blog, which contains articles on where Democrats are campaigning Sunday, plus details of State Rep. Mary Flowers single payer health care hearing in McHenry.