As a legislative aide to three Illinois secretaries of state, attorney Peter V. Pappas helped draft legislation regulating traffic on the state’s roadways during the 1960s and 1970s.
Mr. Pappas, 81, a longtime resident of Lake Bluff, died Saturday, May 4, from injuries suffered in an auto collision in Williamstown, N.J., where he had recently moved.
A native of Racine, Wis., Mr. Pappas served in the Army in World War II. He received a bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Chicago, then received a law degree from Loyola University, where he met his wife of 49 years, Mary, who died in 1999.
After he stopped working for the secretary of state’s office, Mr. Pappas helped run two popular Chicago restaurants–Ireland’s and Barney’s Market Club.”He went into the restaurant business like any good Greek,” said his son, Michael.
Mr. Pappas was convicted of bribery in U.S. District Court in 1976 along with five former state legislators for accepting bribes to support legislation to raise the weight limit for ready-mix concrete trucks traveling on the state’s highways. Five concrete industry executives also were convicted in the scheme.
Before working with the secretary of state’s office under Paul Powell, John Lewis and Michael Howlett, Mr. Pappas was counsel to several interstate automobile transporters from 1948 to 1965. He also helped initiate laws affecting commerce between the United States and Canada.
Mr. Pappas worked to repeal tax measures or exemptions imposed on auto transporters, which led to his appointment to a commission that set standards for the nation’s highways.
At the secretary of state’s office, Mr. Pappas helped draft laws to codify the Illinois Vehicle Code.His work with the secretary of state’s office prompted the Illinois Library Association to honor him with a Lifetime Membership Award for his support of public libraries, which are regulated by the state office.
The Illinois Professional Firefighters Association honored Mr. Pappas for helping to enact pension laws for firefighters.
Besides his son, Mr. Pappas is survived by a sister, Angeline.
Arrangements for a memorial service at the Union Church in Lake Bluff are pending. Funeral services will be private.
