Cicero Trustee Larry Banks Dies of COVID-19
A photo memorial was placed during a town board meeting on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022, at the seat of Town Trustee Larry Banks who died due to COVID-19 on January 7th, 2022 (Photo by Jesus J. Montero).
By Jesus J. Montero
Cicero Trustee Larry Banks died on Friday, January 7, 2022. Banks served on the Town of Cicero Board of Trustees for 11 years. The primary cause of death was COVID-19, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner. Banks was 79.
In the statements shared online by the town of Cicero, there is no mention of Banks’ cause of death. Ray Hanania, spokesperson for the town said he didn’t know the cause of death at the time of posting the news, “if I get an official confirmation, that would be part of the story that we'll put out to let people know.”
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner, there have been 221 COVID-19 related deaths in Cicero since March 16, 2020.
“He cared about the park district, he cared about the town and just was just a very, very humble man,” said Maria Punzo-Arias, the town clerk, who worked alongside Banks since 2005 when she first started working for the town. “I don't know exactly what his cause of death was but to all the people that have lost their lives [to COVID] our thoughts and prayers are with their families.”
Hanania went on to say that, “COVID spreads [no] matter how hard everybody tries, it keeps spreading. I think people may be sick for other reasons. I think COVID pushes them over. I think COVID is a factor a lot of times, but not necessarily the exact cause of death.”
In a statement published by the town of Cicero, Town President Larry Dominick said that Banks’ “passing is not only a great loss to his family but also to the people of the Town of Cicero.”
Cicero Town President Larry Dominick (center) and Town Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias (left) standing for a moment of silence before the town board meeting for Larry Banks who died on January 7th, 2022 to COVID-19 (Photo by Jesus J. Montero).
Before joining the board, Banks served as the executive director of the Clyde Park District. He also worked as a business license inspector for the town. Banks worked as a full-time teacher at South Torrance High School. He also worked as a substitute teacher for Elmwood Park, River Forest, River Grove, Brookfield, and Morton High school Districts.
“I am very sad that we lost a gentleman like trustee Banks that has devoted his time for the past 30 years to the Town of Cicero,” said Blanca Vargas, committeewoman for the Cicero township. “ I didn't know that he passed away because of COVID.”
Cook County Board Commissioner Frank Aguilar also shared his thoughts on Banks in a Facebook post.
Banks is survived by his wife, Susan Banks, who is Morton College Board Trustee, and five children and 15 grandchildren.
Jesus J. Montero is a contributing reporter with Cicero Independiente.
Want to read more stories like this? Consider making a donation to support our work. Your money goes directly towards paying journalists of color to report on local news.
SUBSCRIBE
Bringing you news from the 60804
We respect your privacy and will only use your information to send you our latest posts.