Mikva, Abner J. (Abner Joseph), 1926-2016

Abner Joseph Mikva (January 21, 1926 – July 4, 2016) was an American politician, federal judge, lawyer and law professor. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served as the U.S. Representative from Illinois's 2nd (1969-1973) and 10th (1975-1979) congressional districts and as Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1979 to 1994, serving as Chief Judge from 1991 to 1994.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he attended the local public schools there. During World War II, he enlisted and was trained in the United States Army Air Corps, but the war ended the day before he was due to be deployed. Afterward, the GI Bill enabled Mikva to attend the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee before transferring to Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned his B.A. degree before moving to Chicago where he earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. After graduation, Mikva clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sherman Minton. He also returned to Chicago and began practicing law, at a firm which became Goldberg, Devoe, Shadur & Mikva after he made partner. The firm handles labor, real estate, commercial and civil rights cases, as well as some criminal defense. He spent ten years, from 1956 to 1966, in the Illinois House of Representatives. He was defeated for reelection in 1966, but "reinvented himself" as a community activist, winning election to the United States Congress in 1968.

He first represented Illinois's 2nd congressional district, which included the South Side's lakefront wards including Hyde Park, his residence and the University of Chicago. Ahead of the 1972 election cycle, he moved to the North Shore, losing in the 10th district against Republican Samuel H. Young. In 1974 and 1976, Mikva would defeat Young for the seat; in 1978, he defeated state representative John Porter. Mikva was part of the Kosher Nostra, a group of independent, clean Democrats that included future United States Senator and Presidential candidate Paul Simon, future Illinois Comptroller and candidate for Governor Dawn Clark Netsch, and Representative Anthony Scariano.

Mikva was nominated by President Jimmy Carter on May 29, 1979, to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 92 Stat. 1629. Despite opposition from anti-gun control interests that spent over $1 million to oppose his nomination, Mikva was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 25 and received his commission on September 26, resigning his congressional seat. He served as Chief Judge from 1991 to 1994. His service terminated on September 19, 1994, due to retirement, after which he became White House Counsel to President Bill Clinton. After thirteen months, Mikva retired due to exhaustion. He then returned to the University of Chicago Law School, serving as the Schwarz Lecturer and the senior director of the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic. While at the University, Mikva came to better know future president Barack Obama, whom he mentored and supported politically.

Mikva died under hospice care in Chicago from complications of bladder cancer. He was buried in Mt. Maariv Cemetery in Chicago.