Harold Winer

The son of Russian (now Ukraine) immigrants, Hal was born in Rochester, NY, and dropped out of high school in 1942 to work for Bausch & Lomb making military optics as part of the war effort. Two years later he was drafted into the Army and sent to Okinawa with the 7th Infantry Division. While training for the imminent invasion of Japan the atomic bombs were dropped, which he attributed to sparing his life. Following the Japanese surrender he was sent to Korea and served as a military policeman.

Upon his return from World War II, Hal moved to Syracuse, NY to work as a shoe salesman. At 24 years-old, he obtained a Veteran’s GED and entered Syracuse University on the GI Bill. After moving to Chicago in 1956 Hal worked as a Cook County Juvenile Probation Officer, covering Maxwell Street, Chinatown and most of the south side. While working full time Hal attended night school at John Marshall Law School.

It was shortly after his move to Chicago that Hal was introduced to Janice. Their romance lasted nearly 70 years. Hal was immensely proud of their four children and five grandchildren.

Hal's connection to Lake County developed in 1963. A law school friend was the Village Attorney for Deerfield and a Trustee received a traffic ticket. To avoid a potential conflict of interest, he asked Hal to act as outside counsel. He was so well-liked that he was asked to return the next week. That relationship, and a similar one as Vernon Hills prosecutor, lasted more than six decades. Hal reluctantly retired when the COVID pandemic closed the court system. He is the longest serving prosecutor in Lake County history. As fellow veteran and village prosecutor Bill Franks remarked that when it came to Hal, his lengthy public service was in line with the US Army’s general order to “Hold your ground until relieved."

Hal received numerous lifetime achievement awards for his service. He particularly enjoyed working with local law enforcement and had great respect for the communities and court systems he served. It gave him great pride to have two of his sons follow in his legal footsteps.

Hal had a cherished spirit, easy smile, and keen sense of humor. He was well-liked and respected by friends and colleagues alike, and leaves behind an honorable legacy of compassion, empathy and kindness toward all.

Hal is survived by his beloved wife Janice, children David (Katrine), Evan (Tanya) Todd (Robin) and Beth (Mike), and dear grandchildren Benor, Ariel, Abe, Benny and Annie, and brother Ronnie. He is predeceased by parents Benjamin and Anna Winer and sisters Harriet Cohen and Betty Treister.

Memorial Services will be on Monday, December 4 at 2 pm at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie, Blvd, Wilmette. Interment immediately following the services at Memorial Park, 9900 Gross Point Road, Skokie.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Prairie State Legal Services (pslegal.org/donate) or The Ark (arkchicago.org/make-a-gift/donate-now/)