Cook County Circuit Court Judge Willard J. Lassers, 78, of Chicago, died Saturday at Lutheran General Hospital. A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Lassers served as a Circuit Court judge for 19 years. Prior to that, he worked as a civil and criminal litigator for the Chicago law firm of Elson, Lassers and Wolff. In the 1970s, Lassers successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in a capital murder case. He went on to write a book, “Scapegoat Justice,” about the case. Lassers served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe. He was a board member of the American Civil Liberties Union and of KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation. Survivors include his wife, Elisabeth; a daughter, Kippi; and a brother. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday at KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation, 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago.
