Thomas Sullivan, who served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, 1977-1981, died on May 18 at his home in Wilmette, Illinois. He was 91. He was succeeded in office by NAFUSA member Dan Webb (1981-1985) and then by NAFUSA member Anton “Tony” Valukas (1985-1989).

Tom was best known for initiating “Operation Greylord” to root out bribery and case-fixing in the Cook County Circuit Court system. A total of 92 officials were indicted, including 17 judges, 48 lawyers and 10 deputy sheriffs. Outside of his time in public service, Tom spent most of his career at Jenner & Block along with Tony Valukas. He helped build the firm’s pro bono practice, including being part of an effort to end the death penalty in Illinois and working to free detainees from Guantanamo Bay.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Landau, and his daughters, Maggie Sullivan Cescolini and Liza Sullivan; a son, Tim; a step-daughter, Mimi Landau; and six grandchildren. Tom earned his law degree at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

As is our custom, at NAFUSA’s request an American flag was flown in Tom’s honor over Main Justice and presented to his family as a token of the esteem with which he was held by his colleagues.