Chicago, IL – Steven Good, a major figure in Chicago real estate, was found shot to death at a Kane County wildlife preserve, police said.
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Mr. Good, 52, was the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. They said his body was found in a car parked at the Max McGraw Wildlife Refuge near East Dundee.
Steven L. Good, chairman of Sheldon Good & Co., was found fatally shot Monday in the Kane County wildlife preserve.
The Kane County Sheriff’s Department said Mr. Good, of Highland Park, was found about 8:20 a.m. inside a red Jaguar. Police said there was no suicide note.
Mr. Good was the chairman of Sheldon Good & Co., a Chicago firm that specializes in real estate auctions.
Active in civic and charitable circles, Mr. Good had worked hard to give the company a national profile. He broadened its base from auctions to include brokering property sales and the marketing of estates and resorts, with clients that include Donald Trump.
Mr. Good won numerous awards, conducted auctions for charity and wrote books about real estate. “Steven was one of the most generous people I’ve ever met,” said David Hanna, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors. “He was passionate about his work.”
Mr. Good’s desire for growth and control led him into a battle with his father, Sheldon Good. The father’s name remained on the door, but a courtroom battle between the two forced Sheldon Good’s removal from the company in 2005.
Auctioneers sometimes fare well when the real estate market is declining and owners have property they need to sell fast. The company, in business more than 40 years, said it has been involved in $9 billion worth of transactions and been ranked as the largest real estate auctioneer in the country.
Police said it was not known how long the body was at the location. Kane County Sheriff Lt. Pat Gengler said a gun was found with the body, but he had no further information about the weapon.
Kane County Coroner Charles West said the victim died of a gunshot wound, but he said circumstances remain under investigation. “At this point, there’s no concern about foul play,” West said.
A maintenance worker notified police after spotting the Jaguar with Mr. Good’s body inside.
His firm had been involved in the auction of properties next to the wildlife refuge, including the former Fin N Feather Farm and the Milk Pail restaurant along Illinois 25 between Elgin and East Dundee.
Friends described Mr. Good as unfailingly upbeat and always on the hunt for business.
“He was always fun to be with, and he cultivated leadership in other people,” said Brian Bernardoni, senior director of government and public policy at the Realtors’ association.
Mr. Good worked with events planner Julie Darling last year on two high-profile fund-raisers. Mr. Good was a whirlwind charity auctioneer, drumming up excitement and urging people to donate.
“I think it was just his charismatic attitude and his smile. You couldn’t say no to this guy,” Darling said.
She said she saw no signs anything was amiss. “He had unbelievable showmanship,” Darling said. “He was just always on top of his game.
Mr. Good was a member of North Shore Congregation Israel
Shiva: will be held at
Good Residence
356 N. Deere Park Drive E.
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
did he have any problems???
I think there’s probably more harm than good publicizing these kinds of news.
nisht gut.
ITS ALL ABOUT THIS REAL ESTATE CRASH. Now all you real estate flippers who have pumped up real estate prices artificialy should have second toughts of what your actions have caused
That German Billionnair Committed suicide because hewas down to only 9 Billion.
I can understand that.
How can you survive on 9 Billion?
nebich
Hmmm…. Chicago….. Has that city been in the news lately?
Are they 100% sure it was a suicide? “Apparently,” not.
The Jaguar automobile, moron.
This isn’t a joke or fodder for word play. It’s a tragedy.
Think about how his children/family would feel if they heard about your comments.
interesting….Chicago….Chicago. Isn’t that city a pretty clean city right?
Anyone who would think that this is only a suicide needs to look deeper. Just recently a pardon was reversed on a crook who manipulated numbers so that unqualified people could buy house(s) they could not afford and finally lost the homes to foreclosure. He was in the buisness of auctioning homes, more than likely from foreclosures. See a pattern? This is why this country is in such a financial mess. He knew something and, I apologize to the family, but he was much too much of a coward to face it. Suicide or not, he got off easy. Cowards do not even care about those they leave behind. These theives who manipulated numbers for ‘sales’ deserve the punishment they get. I had a family member who did this and is now in jail….good for him. My husband and I used a reputable realtor who told us we could buy ANY home we wanted, then showed us list of homes we would want~~~because it was within our budget and what we could LEGALLY prove we could afford! No numbers manipulation…..WOW what a crazy idea!
He was found inside a Thunderbird–or was it a Cougar–or was it a Falcon—oh no, it was a jaguar–hmmm–poor soul-what a way to go!!
Is bernie madoff involved?
Dear Murray,
I thought you just had a wonderfull sense of humour untill you replied to .,
He was a wonderful man. Kind and helpful to everyone. The most upbeat and fun regular guy. He always remembered your name. Provided great financial help and advice for both Christian and Jewish organizations. One could call him for advice and he would answer your call whether a billionaire or a regular hardworking person. What a great smile and sense of humor we have all lost.
If Steven L. Good committed suicide in his red Jaguar- then I have swamp land I’d like to sell you in Florida. This was murder. Having grown up on the grounds of Finn and Feather Farms and knowing what complete dolts the East Dundee Police are … anyone with the kind of money the Good family has could easily buy an investigation. Notice how these articles never state what kind of weapon was used, where the weapon was found or where on the body the wounds were inflicted? I would find it hard to believe that Mr. Good committed suicide by pointing a shotgun in his mouth and pulling the trigger with his toes. How can Kane County Sheriff Lt. Pat Gengler have no further information about the weapon? Is he a County Sheriff or a stooge that can be bought by the highest bidder? I think the latter. My bet is that Sheldon Good, or one of his agents had the son murdered. Nothing Personal-Just Business in the billion-dollar real estate business.