Jeffrey J. Kennedy

Jeffrey Joseph Kennedy passed away on June 7, 2022 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, TX. He was born on May 19th, 1942 in Connersville, IN, and was raised in Linton, IN. He received his Bachelors degree in Government at Indiana University in 1964 and his Law degree from the Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington) in 1967. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Indiana Law Journal and graduated first in his class, with the second highest grade point average in the 125 year history of the law school. Jeff moved to Chicago, IL in 1967 as Law Clerk to Chief Judge John Hastings of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He then joined Chicago’s Kirkland & Ellis law firm practicing federal antitrust law as both litigator and counselor. He rapidly rose through the firm’s ranks to become partner. In 1988, having achieved his professional goals by the age of 46, he chose to retire from the practice of law. He remained Of Counsel for Kirkland & Ellis until 1997. During that time, he also taught antitrust courses at the Indiana University School of Law. He especially enjoyed interacting with his students.

A long-time resident of Oak Brook, IL, Jeff was best known for his love of community, work ethic, leadership, and philanthropy. He served as Village Trustee from 2005 to 2009. He focused on successfully resolving the Village’s litigation issues, chairing the Commercial Revitalization Committee to redevelop Oak Brook’s aging retail and office spaces, resolving traffic issues, co-chairing the Village’s ambitious Streetscape Beautification Project, and increasing the efficiency of Village Government. After his term as Trustee ended, Jeff continued to lead the Commercial Revitalization Committee, which was responsible for several major initiatives to improve the Village and successfully attract new businesses. In this volunteer role, Jeff worked directly with Oak Brook staff, elected officials, municipal consultants, and representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The committee’s largest project was the Comprehensive Plan that continues to guide the growth and development of Oak Brook. Jeff was active in the governance of the Oak Brook Club, a multi-building community where he lived since moving to Oak Brook in 1974. He served as president of the Oak Brook Club master condo-owners association for 25 years.

In 2017, Indiana University’s law school bestowed their Distinguished Service Award on Jeff in recognition of his successful career and service to the community. In his later years, Jeff was a leader in fundraising efforts in the Catholic Diocese of Joliet for the education and training of future Catholic priests. As a member of the Diocesan Development Committee, Jeff helped raise millions of dollars for seminarians and establish an endowment fund for their future education. Jeff was a long-time member of Visitation parish in Elmhurst, IL.

Jeff is survived by a brother, Robert Kennedy of Durham, NC; sister Sharon Kennedy Nolan (husband Larry) of Mansfield, TX; Nieces Debbie Kennedy (husband Bill) of Durham, NC, Denise Kennedy of Orlando, FL, and Tiffany McCoy (husband Doug) of Arlington, TX; Nephews Jon Kennedy (wife Carol) of York, PA, Jim Kennedy (wife Dina) of Las Vegas, NV, Mark Kennedy (wife Chloe) of Los Angeles, CA, and Mark Nolan of Arlington, TX, as well as a large number of great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Elizabeth and James Olin Kennedy, one sister-in-law, Peg Kennedy, and two nephews, Larry Kennedy and Steve Kennedy.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June, 29th, at Visitation Parish Catholic Church, 779 S York St., Elmhurst, IL. A visitation for family and friends will be held in the Fireside Room at the Church at 9:00 AM. Jeff's funeral Mass will be live streamed beginning at 9:45 AM CST by signing in to streamingservicenow.com. Flowers may be sent to the Church before 8:00 AM on the day of service.