Aug. 16--Leslie Koczur worked for nearly three decades in regulatory, legislative and governmental affairs for the electric utility ComEd, helping to transform the Illinois marketplace for electricity before retiring at the end of 2014 as director of regulatory projects.
Koczur, 60, who was diagnosed 10 years ago with Type I diabetes and who also had a heart condition, died of natural causes Tuesday in her Hinsdale home, according to her sister Mary Kenny. She lived in Oak Park for many years before moving to Hinsdale in October.
Erin O'Connell-Diaz met Koczur when both were young lawyers. She also was familiar with her work from her time with the Illinois Commerce Commission, where O'Connell-Diaz was an administrative law judge and later a commissioner.
"She was a pivotal person on electric rate relief," O'Connell-Diaz said about Koczur's work with others on late-1990s legislation to deregulate electric rates in Illinois.
"Leslie worked diligently on the transformation of the electric marketplace to a competitive supply arena," she said, calling Koczur "a warrior for her company."
ComEd President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore said in an emailed statement: "In her career at ComEd, Leslie served us as an exceptional energy policy expert and a tireless advocate for ComEd's customers."
Koczur grew up in Glenview. After attending what was then St. Louise de Marillac High School in Northfield, since merged with Loyola Academy, she went on to get an undergraduate degree from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.
She received a law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1981.
Koczur joined the Illinois attorney general's office.
Ed Hurley worked with her in the attorney general's office and also later, when he also moved to the Illinois Commerce Commission, where he later became chairman.
Hurley said Koczur had a special ability to deal with people. "Leslie had the interesting ability to disarm people with her smile and her charm," he said, adding that the combination got her information and cooperation and results for her company.
"She worked very hard on behalf of her company and always delivered," he said.
Pramaggiore agreed: "Her special gift was in engaging others -- in an issue, in a mission, in solving a significant policy question she drew people to her. She was able to cross barriers others simply could not."
O'Connell-Diaz said Koczur's work helped lead to lower electric rates in Illinois that have saved consumers tens of billions of dollars. Her work also helped to improve the reliability of the grid and to create a lot of jobs. "She really was a public servant, even though she worked for a private entity," she said.
Pramaggiore said Koczur played one of her most impactful roles in 2011, when "her intelligence, keen judgment and cutting-edge policy work helped usher in landmark smart grid legislation."
Koczur left ComEd for a time, her sister said, and worked for what was then SBC Communications, and also worked in federal government affairs for Nicor before returning to ComEd.
Outside the office, Koczur pursued her passion for travel and outdoor activities. She also was a member of the board of the Illinois chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Koczur also is survived by her other sisters, Marnell Felice and Jo Ann Miller.
Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday in St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter.
