Thomas Kirkpatrick Jr

As director of the Chicago Crime Commission from the mid-1990s until about nine years ago, he oversaw that organization's ongoing efforts to improve Chicago's criminal justice system and educate citizens about public safety issues. In 1995, Mr. Kirkpatrick moved to the Chicago Crime Commission, leading the organization until about 2005. The commission, started in 1919 by a group of businessmen, is a clearinghouse for information about crime in the city, with the mission of helping the business community thwart the effects of crime. Organized crime, both the Outfit and street gangs, is a major focus for the commission. Born in Decatur, he grew up in Peoria. After graduating from Peoria High School, he went on to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned bachelor's and law degrees. He later went to Northwestern University School of Law for an advanced degree. Mr. Kirkpatrick gained some experience in law enforcement administration and in drug abuse issues in Washington and Chicago before becoming head of what is now the Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse in 1975. Mr. Kirkpatrick became head of the Illinois Department of Public Health in 1984. During a major outbreak of salmonella in 1985, he took a vacation to Mexico. When then-Gov. James Thompson learned that Mr. Kirkpatrick was out of town at such a critical time, he was fired. In 1986, Mr. Kirkpatrick became president and CEO of the Five Hospital Homebound Elderly Program. The program, begun by five North Side hospitals, aimed to provide in-home Medicare certified and reimbursed health services to older patients. Mr. Kirkpatrick also is survived by a daughter, Carlisle; a son, Easton; a sister, Susan Robinson; and brothers Bruce and Ken.