Draft:Tom Laporte

Tom LaPorte (1953 - March 3, 2017) was a Chicago radio host, assistant water commissioner, and a member of the Burning Man festival's media team.

Early life and education
Born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1953, LaPorte moved to Illinois in 1960. He attended Glenbard West High School, graduating in 1971. During high school, he interviewed American activist Abbie Hoffman for a school radio program and contributed to "The Glen Bard" newspaper. Glenbard West High School considers him a notable alumnus. He earned an Associate of Arts in Speech Communication and Rhetoric from College of DuPage in 1976 and a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications and Radio-TV from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 1979.

Career
LaPorte contributed to CBS Radio all-news WBBM AM 780, all-news WMAQ, and WIND AM 560 as a webmaster, editor, managing editor, producer, and news editor. At WMAQ, he produced a series for Black History Month in 1989.

Burning Man project
As "Lost Tom," LaPorte was a founding member of the Burning Man Chicago Steering Committee, leading art projects that fostered creativity and collaboration. Tom was actively involved with Burners Without Borders and BMIR. Tom's voice continues heard in public service announcements at Burning Man every year.

Public service career
LaPorte served as an assistant water commissioner for Chicago, contributing to civic and environmental initiatives. He was involved in the Chicago Airport System Music Program, bringing local music to O'Hare International Airport.

Personal life
LaPorte and Jim Belushi were friends and roommates, with documented interactions including LaPorte bailing Belushi out of jail.

Awards
LaPorte was a six-time recipient of the Peter Lisagor Award and was recognized in the Chicago Sun Times I-Street 100 most influential persons in December 2000 for launching WBBM's "Tech Desk".