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Howard A. Learner

Howard Learner Remembers Dan Levin, ELPC Board Vice Chair

"We all deeply miss Dan Levin, who made a positive difference in the world in many ways."

ELPC Board Vice Chair Dan Levin passed away.

Dan was a wise advisor and a mentor to me, a strong ELPC supporter, and a great friend. Dan was an innovative businessman, a remarkable civic leader, and a great guy. I admired and deeply respected Dan — as did all of us on ELPC’s Board and Staff and many others with whom he engaged over 94 years of robust life.

As many know, Dan was a successful real estate developer who led the Habitat Company and managed the Chicago-area affordable housing scattered-site program under the Gautreaux housing civil rights consent decree. That’s how I first met Dan when he worked with civil rights attorney Alex Polikoff, the lead attorney for the Gautreaux plaintiff class in the federal courts (and was my senior law partner and a mentor for me as well).  Then, I got to know Dan even more as the father of my friend Josh Levin. We met again at Josh’s bachelor party, where Dan nicely grilled me about Josh’s choices and plans in life and expressed his great love for his son.

When two Bobs (Wilcox and Graham) and a Howard (me) founded ELPC, we soon reached out to Dan, who became a terrific addition to ELPC’s Board.  ELPC’s mission and organizational business were growing. Dan and ELPC Board Chair Richard Day were a dynamic duo that helped guide us through a growth curve, and then Dan and Chair David Wilhelm led as ELPC moved through the next stage. Dan was a valued Board Vice Chair and trusted advisor both for me, as ELPC Executive Director, and for Board Chairs Ellen Craig, Harry Drucker, Nancy Loeb, and Manny Flores.

Dan Levin at ELPC’s 2019 Gala

Dan mixed family, fun, and business together with joy and savvy.  Our meetings would begin with a schmooze about family and life, then an assessment of the day’s political news, followed by Dan’s savvy advice on ELPC’s sustainable development strategies and advocacy that are good for both business and the environment.

We all deeply miss Dan Levin, who made a positive difference in the world in many ways.  Dan was really a mensch.  All of us at ELPC and I, personally, greatly miss Dan and his joy for life and the things that matter.

Howard Learner & Dan Levin

P.S. Ask David Wilhelm or me about eating snowballs with Dan — a dessert treat Dan rescued from a famous Chicago restaurant that shut down years ago.  Fun!

Howard A. Learner,

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director

Howard Learner is an experienced attorney serving as the Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. He is responsible for ELPC’s overall strategic leadership, policy direction, and financial platform.

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