Rolling Meadows courthouse engineer a friend to all

James Patrick Sheehan was a fixture around the Third Municipal District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows who helped with everything from aiding visitors in finding their way inside the building to managing the physical plant.

Sheehan, chief engineer of the courthouse since its construction, a former Democratic committeeman in Palatine Township and a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, died Tuesday at age 73.

"Jim was a pillar of the Palatine, Hoffman Estates and Rolling Meadows area, and throughout the Northwest suburban area," said Cary Collins, a former Hoffman Estates trustee.

"As the chief engineer at the courthouse, Jim was always ready to share a tale or advice on political issues," Collins added, "and on his Irish heritage."

Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod recalls that as the longtime committeeman, Sheehan was involved in many municipal campaigns. He also came from an extended Irish family that included former Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheehan, his first cousin.

One of Sheehan's close acquaintances was former Hoffman Estates Mayor Mike O'Malley, and with their shared Irish heritage, the two helped launch the village's Irish Fest, which ran from 1988 to 2000.

"He liked helping people and was well-known in the village," McLeod said. "But with his work with the township, he was well known throughout Palatine, Rolling Meadows, South Barrington, and parts of Arlington Heights and Schaumburg as well. He was just a good guy."

In 1988, Sheehan was appointed to the Palatine Police and Fire Commission, and he also served as associate director of the Soil and Water Conservation District of Northern Cook County before running unsuccessfully for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

During all of his municipal work, Sheehan continued to hold court in the courthouse as the familiar figure everyone could turn to for help - from the judicial members and their staffs to the thousands of people who walked through its doors.

"He was the heartbeat of the courthouse," said Arlington Heights Village Prosecutor Ernest Blomquist. "If people looked lost, befuddled or intimidated walking into the courthouse, he'd help them find their way. He'd calm them down and walk them to their courtroom."

Retired Cook County Judge Jan Bierman agreed, describing Sheehan as the person she depended on to help with building repairs - and to walk her to her car at night.

"Jim was there since the place was built," Bierman said. "He knew everyone, and everyone knew him."

Sheehan was preceded in death by his son James Jr. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and children Kelly (Christopher Townsend) Sheehan, Timothy (Meredith) and Michael, as well as one grandson.

Visitation will take place from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine. A funeral Mass is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2515 W. Palatine Road in Inverness.