The Village of Arlington Heights received sad news today that longtime Village Attorney Jack M. Siegel died on Tuesday, September 23 at the age of 88 following a battle with cancer. Mr. Siegel’s impressive career as Arlington Heights Village Attorney spanned 53 years.
“Jack was a greatly admired man who many attorneys and municipal leaders held in high regard due to his extensive legal experience and comprehension of the legal intricacies of municipal law,” said Mayor Tom Hayes. “In working with him for more than 23 years, Jack became a wonderful friend, and I will truly miss him. Although mostly behind the scenes, Jack had an integral role in helping Arlington Heights develop and grow into the wonderful community it is today. His exceptional legal advice and guidance for the 53 years he served as Village Attorney is greatly appreciated by the Arlington Heights Village Board and Staff. He was an inspiration to many, and will be deeply missed.”
Jack Siegel was honored in 2011 by the Village of Arlington Heights for 50 years of service in municipal law. In recognition of his service anniversary to Arlington Heights, a conference room in Village Hall was named the “Siegel Room” in his honor.
In addition to serving as Arlington Heights Village Attorney, Mr. Siegel was also the Village Attorney of Schaumburg, and he also worked with the City of Evanston and the Village of Riverwoods. At one time or another, he represented Barrington, Bartlett, Lombard, Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Rosemont and Skokie.
His career included trial and appellate experience in the Circuit Courts of Cook, Lake, DuPage and Will County, in the First, Second and Third Appellate Districts, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He argued two cases in the United States Supreme Court.
Jack’s law career spanned six decades. He was most recently of counsel with Holland & Knight LLP. In various recognitions he received highlighting his 50 plus years of service, Jack was referenced as one of the most highly regarded and respected members of the municipal law profession. A partner at Holland & Knight, who worked closely with Mr. Siegel, once referred to Jack as the “dean of Illinois municipal law.” He further stated that Jack “was an inspiration to government, municipal, land use and zoning attorneys throughout the state of Illinois.”
Upon receiving special recognition from the Arlington Heights Village Board in 2011for his 50 years of service as Village Attorney, Jack said that Arlington Heights was “more than just a client.” He said Arlington Heights was “wonderful for me, and the people have just been wonderful.” At that time Mr. Siegel had no plans for retirement, saying that he truly enjoyed the work he was doing.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne and his children, Phillip and Julie, as well as his grandchildren.
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