U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, the Joliet native who served in the Illinois legislature before being nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, died Tuesday evening at the age of 87.

Leinenweber, who just celebrated a birthday last week, had kept a very active schedule before announcing an illness earlier this year, presiding over the high-profile trials of singer R. Kelly in 2022 and the “ComEd Four” political corruption case last year.

In January, Leinenweber delayed sentencing in the ComEd Four case in part due to his health issues, which he said would keep him away from Chicago for a month or two.

He is survived by his wife, former U.S. Labor Secretary Lynn Martin and seven children and stepchildren.

In a statement released Tuesday night, U.S. District Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer noted Leinenweber “maintained an active caseload until the end of his life.”

“Judge Harry D. Leinenweber was a friend, mentor, and model jurist,” Pallmeyer wrote.  “My colleagues and I are deeply saddened by Judge Leinenweber’s passing.  We hope for comfort and peace for his family.  We thank his family for sharing him with us for over 39 years.”

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