Rising Star

by David J. Garrow

  27. Michael D. Klemens, “Pate Philip: Leader of Senate Minority and DuPage’s GOP Machine,” Illinois Issues, March 1989, pp. 13–16; Steve Neal, “Few Are Neutral About GOP Leader Philip,” CST, 19 January 1990, p. 29; Neal, “Philip Makes Name as Backward Bully,” CST, 13 July 1992, p. 21; Ted Gregory, “Philip Poised to Lead State Senate,” CT, 4 November 1992; Jennifer Halpern, “Pate Philip,” II, March 1993, pp. 13–15; Robert Becker and Susan Kuczka, “‘Pate’ Philip Knocks Minorities,” CT, 6 October 1996; Ray Long and Michael Gillis, “Racial Remarks by Philip Spark Political Storm,” CST, 7 October 1994, p. 4; “Pate Philip’s Racism and the Work Ethic,” CST, 7 October 1994, p. 41; John K. Wilson, “The Bigot Who Runs Illinois,” Chicago Ink, August 1997; Rick Pearson, “Pate,” II, October 1997, pp. 14–17; Capitol Fax, 17 May 1999, p. 2; Carter Hendren’s 2009 interview with Mark DePue; Thomas Hardy, “Sen. Jones Ahead in Race to Be Democratic Leader,” CT, 16 December 1992; Rick Pearson, “Daley Settles Senate Fight—For Now,” and Pearson and John Kass, “Jones Started Schmoozing City Hall Early On,” CT, 17 December 1992; Pearson, “Democratic Senate Squabble Goes Along with Jones’ Selection,” CT, 18 December 1992; Pearson, “Democrats in Senate Rebuff Chief,” CT, 27 January 1993; Jennifer Halpern, “Emil Jones Passes Muster as New Senate Democratic Leader,” II, August–September 1993, pp. 26–29; Jones’s 2000 interview with Julieanna Richardson and his 2006 one with Bernard Sieracki; Paul Davis, “State Senator Emil Jones, Jr.,” N’Digo, 6–12 February 2003, pp. 6–7; Tracey Robinson-English, “Statehouse Clout,” Ebony, April 2005, pp. 150ff.; Ben Smith, “Emil Jones Blowback,” Politico, 5 February 2007; Jones’s 2008–2009 interviews with Erma Brooks-Williams; Bernie Schoenburg’s 2009 interview with Mark DePue, p. 98; Jim Edgar’s 28 May 2010 (#15, p. 678) interview with DePue; DJG interviews with John Hooker, James “Pate” Philip, Emil Jones Jr., Linda Hawker, Larry Bomke, Steve Rauschenberger, Carl Hawkinson, Dan Cronin, John Nicolay, Walter Dudycz, Dave Syverson, Donne Trotter, Howard Carroll, Pat Welch, John Cullerton, Robert Molaro, Miguel del Valle, Chuy Garcia, and William Luking. Translations of The Art of War 8.10 differ widely on the second phrase of Jones’s quote; some render it as “but rely on your own preparations.”

  28. Capitol Fax, 28 December 1998 and 27 April 1999; MacDougal, Make a Difference, p. 255; Bernie Schoenburg’s 2009 interview with Mark DePue, p. 65; Jim Edgar’s 28 May (#15, pp. 676–78) and 2 September (#20, p. 878) 2010 interviews with DePue; “Edgar Talks About Madigan,” Capitol Fax, 27 November 2012; Halvorson, Playing Ball with the Big Boys, pp. 43–44 (describing Edgar as “a remote, aloof figure” even toward Republican senators); DJG interviews with Pate Philip, Jim Edgar, Kirk Dillard, Carter Hendren, Scott Kaiser, Deno Perdiou, Andy Foster, Kurt DeWeese, Linda Hawker, and Donne Trotter. On Madigan’s long-term power base, see Rick Pearson, “What Is Mike Madigan Up To?,” II, April 1997, pp. 12–17; Madigan’s 2009 interview with Remini; David Kidwell and John Chase, “Favorable Legislation Flows to Private Clients of House Speaker Madigan,” CT, 3 June 2012; Chase, Kidwell, and Ray Long, “Madigan Consolidates Power by Holding Sway in Legislative Races,” CT, 5 June 2012; James Ylisela Jr., “Michael Madigan Is the King of Illinois,” Chicago Magazine, December 2013; and Kidwell et al., “How Madigan Built His Patronage Army,” CT, 5 January 2014.

  29. Brent Watters, “Obama Pledges to Be Hardest Working Senator in Springfield,” Chicago Citizen, 16 January 1997, p. 4; “Barack Obama, Senior Lecturer,” www.law.uchicago.edu, 24 January 1997; Jennifer Davis, “State Politicians Have Promised to Work Together, Get Things Done,” Illinois Issues, February 1997, pp. 6–7; “Edgar’s Seventh State of the State,” CWR 12 #12, 7 February 1997 (22 January); Illinois Campaign Finance Project, Tainted Democracy: How Money Distorts the Election Process in Illinois and What Must Be Done to Reform the Campaign Finance System (University of Illinois at Springfield), 29 January 1997, pp. 4, 8, 11, 14, 36; Joyce Foundation Annual Report 1996, esp. pp. 26–29; Ed Wojcicki, “Still the Wild West?: A 10-Year Look at Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois,” Southern Illinois University, September 2006, pp. 5–6; Senate Floor Transcripts, 90th General Assembly, 5 February 1997, pp. 9, 14 (SBs 398, 399 and 472), 6 February 1997, p. 7 (SBs 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, and 579), 7 February 1997; Peter Slevin, “Obama Forged Political Mettle in Illinois Capitol,” WP, 9 February 2007, p. A1; Janny Scott, “In Illinois, Obama Proved Pragmatic and Shrewd,” NYT, 30 July 2007, p. A1; Christopher Wills (AP), “Old-School Politician Mentored Obama,” 31 March 2008; Eli Saslow, “From Outsider to Politician,” WP, 9 October 2008, p. A1; Kevin Knapp, “Developers Make No Small Plans in North Kenwood,” HPH, 5 February 1997, pp. 1–2; Lisa Fingeret, “Connected Developers Strike Out,” HPH, 12 March 1997, pp. 1–2; Carol McHugh Sanders, “Former Law Firm Partner Takes Firm Stands About Housing,” Chicago Lawyer, April 1997, pp. 73ff.; Tim Novak, “Obama’s Ex-Boss a Rezko Partner,” CST, 23 April 2007, p. 25; Miner, Barnhill & Galland letterhead, 5 February 1997, IAP Box 11 Fld. 3; Miner in Mike Robinson (AP), “Obama Got Start in Civil Rights Practice,” 20 February 2007, in Abdon M. Pallasch, “Obama’s Legal Career,” CST, 17 December 2007, p. 4, and in Pauline Yearwood, “Obama and the Jews,” Chicago Jewish News, 12 September 2008; Obama, “Help Needed to Change Springfield,” HPH, 19 February 1997, pp. 4, 9; Maudlyne Ihejirika, “City Ranks Low in a Survey on Kids’ Well-Being,” CST, 19 February 1997, p. 20; DJG interviews with Dave Manning, Ed Wojcicki, Cindi Canary, Ray Harris, Bill Perkins, Sharon Corrigan, Dan Burkhalter, Emil Jones Jr., Judd Miner, Chuck Barnhill, George Galland, and Paul Strauss.

  30. Rebecca Riley et al., Futures Committee, to Dear Colleague, 23 January 1997, “Futures Committee Moves Forward,” Looking Forward, February 1997, Futures Committee, “Healthy Communities: How Do We Know Them When We See Them?,” 14 February 1997, “Kemmis, Obama Provides Food for Thought at First Futures Committee Symposium,” Looking Forward, March 1997, Andrew Mooney, “Changing the Way We Do Things: Recommendations and Findings of the Futures Committee, October 1997, all LISC Chicago Papers; Patrick Barry, “History: Our Quarter-Century Journey,” LISC 2005 Donors Report; Newton N. Minow to Jo-Ann Benini, 26 February 1997, NMP; Miller in Dan Morain, “Obama: A Fresh Face or an Old-School Tactician?,” LAT, 8 September 2007; CAC, Program Report for the Period Ending December 31, 1996, CACP; Patrick Keleher, “River of School Grants Won’t Wash Away Failure,” CST, 19 February 1997, p. 41; Raymond R. Coffey, “School Reform Pioneer Decries ‘Lost Decade,’” CST, 20 February 1997, p. 6; Coffey, “Daley, Vallas as Reform’s Best Hope,” CST, 21 February 1997, p. 6; Minutes, CAC Board of Directors Executive Committee, 24 February 1997, CACP Box 114 Fld. 770; CAC Board of Directors Minutes, 2 April 1997; Ann Bradley, “Staying in the Game,” Education Week, 30 April 1997, pp. 23ff.; Dirk Johnson, “Chicago Schools Set Standard in Insisting Students Perform,” NYT, 6 June 1997, p. A1; Shipps and Sconzert, The Chicago Annenberg Challenge: The First Three Years, pp. 25–26; DJG interviews with Marilyn Katz, Cynthia Miller, Newton Minow, Janis Robinson, and Ken Rolling.

  31. Rauschenberger in Chris Bailey, “Contemplating Steve and Barack, and Oh, What Might Have Been,” CDH, 19 September 2004, p. 18; Eli Saslow, “From Outsider to Politician,” WP, 9 October 2008, p. A1; Jim Edgar’s 14 December 2010 (#26) interview with Mark DePue, p. 1087; Halvorson, Playing Ball with the Big Boys, p. 32; Dan Shomon in Philip Sherwell, “The Big Hitter,” Telegraph, 28 January 2007, Hoffmann in Rick Pearson and Ray Long, “Careful Steps, Looking Ahead,” CT, 3 May 2007; Shomon in Kevin McDermott, “In Illinois, Obama Made Waves from the Start,” SLPD, 10 December 2007; Shomon’s July 2008 interview with Jen Christensen; Ben Calhoun, “1997 Trip Sparked Obama’s Rural-Voter Courtship,” NPR, 10 August 2008 (and WBEZ, 8 August); Shomon on “Barack Obama Revealed,” CNN, 20 August 2008; “Dan Shomon—First Person,” BBC News, 26 August 2008; Shomon in Sherwell, “Revealed: Barack Obama, the Boring Speaker,” Telegraph, 26 October 2008; Remnick, The Bridge, pp. 317–18; DJG interviews with Carl Hawkinson, Frank Watson, Deno Perdiou, Jim Edgar,
Walter Dudycz, Patty Schuh, Steve Rauschenberger, Debbie Halvorson, Howard Carroll, Denny Jacobs, Art Berman, Evelyn Bowles, Miguel del Valle, Chuy Garcia, Robert Molaro, Lori Joyce Cullen, Linda Hawker, Jill Rock, Mike Hoffmann, Dave Gross, Cindy Huebner Davidsmeyer, Dave Joens, Adelmo Marchiori, John Charles, Dan Shomon, and Cynthia Miller.

  32. DJG interviews with Carl Hawkinson, John Cullerton, Ed Petka, Kirk Dillard, Dan Cronin, Robert Molaro, George Shadid, Greg Sullivan, Jim Collins, Boro Reljic, Mike Marrs, Gideon Baum, John Nicolay, Matt Jones, Nia Odeoti-Hassan, Dave Syverson, Christine Radogno, Kathy Parker, Debbie Lounsberry, Linda Hawker, John Bouman, William McNary, Doug Dobmeyer, Dave Stover, David Weisbaum, Dave Joens, Kurt DeWeese, and Peter Fitzgerald. See also Bethany Krajelis, “Lobbyist’s Rise to Top ‘Speaks Volumes,’” CDLB, 27 April 2010 (Nicolay), and Rick Pearson, “Kirk Dillard Reloads,” CT, 21 February 2014.

  33. Emil Jones Jr. in George E. Condon Jr., “A Sense of Self,” National Journal, 22 September 2012, pp. 16–19; John Cameron in Abramsky, Inside Obama’s Brain, pp. 89–94; Shomon in John F. Harris and Glenn Thrush, “The Ego Factor: Can Obama Change?,” Politico, 5 November 2010; Ray Long, “Stanley B. Weaver, 78,” CT, 13 November 2003; Obama in Jennifer Davis, “Freshmen Ponder Spring Lessons as They Return for the Fall Session,” II, October 1997, pp. 6–7; Obama’s 2001 interview with Juliette Richardson and his 23 October 2006 American Magazine Conference one with David Remnick; DJG interviews with Emil Jones Jr., Lori Joyce Cullen, Dave Gross, Mike Hoffmann, Adelmo Marchiori, Dan Shomon, and Craig Huffman.

  34. Christi Parsons and Courtney Challos, “Ban on Abortion Procedure Wins a Senate OK,” CT, 5 March 1997; David Hein, “Abortion Bill Heads to Vote in Senate,” BP, 5 March 1997, p. A5; Heather Ryndak, “Ban on Partial-Birth Abortion Clears Panel,” CST, 5 March 1997, p. 70; Research Department, National Republican Senatorial Committee, “Barack Obama (D-IL): On the Record,” 22 July 2004, p. 10, Jack Ryan for U.S. Senate Opposition Research Files (JRORF); Senate Floor Transcript, 7 March 1997, p. 4 (Barack introducing SB 1183 regarding job training); Cathy D. Gardner, “Sen. Obama Takes Aim at Edgar’s Budget,” CD, 11 March 1997, p. 5; Senate Floor Transcript, 13 March 1997, pp. 112–23; [Debbie] Lounsberry, “Barack Obama—The Record: A Summary,” 10 May 2004, p. 40 (noting Barack’s 13 March “present” vote on SB 853, which passed 54–0), JRORF; David Heckelman, “Bill Would Direct Elder Jurors to Court Nearest Home,” CDLB, 14 March 1997, pp. 1, 18; Rickey Hendon, Black Enough/White Enough: The Obama Dilemma (Third World Press, 2009), p. 179. Illinois State Senate floor proceedings are easily available in high-quality daily transcripts at www.ilga.gov, and for the 91st General Assembly (1999–2000) onward, Senate Journals, containing the texts of amendments, conference committee reports, and motions, plus floor votes, are also available at www.ilga.gov. “The Senate does not tape its committee hearings,” although caucus staff members sometimes did so informally. See Richard C. Edwards, “Researching Legislative History,” Illinois Legislative Reference Bureau, October 2008.

  35. Kirk Dillard in Sharon Cohen (AP), “Barack Obama Straddles Different Worlds,” 19 October 2007; Paul Williams in Ariel Sabar, “For Obama, Bipartisan Aims, Party-Line Votes,” CSM, 17 April 2008; Hendon on the Illinois Channel with Terry Martin, 13 January 2009; DJG interviews with Linda Hawker, Debbie Halvorson, Pat Welch, Carol Harwell, Cynthia Miller, Paul Williams, Cindi Canary, James Clayborne, Nia Odeoti-Hassan, Miguel del Valle, Chuy Garcia, Barbara Flynn Currie, Vince Williams, Ray Harris, Lou Viverito, and Terry Link.

  36. Senate Floor Transcript, 19 March 1997, p. 190 (Barack stating that he erroneously voted no rather than yes on SB 1000 on 18 March); 20 March 1997, pp. 50–66 and 210 (Barack noting on the latter that earlier he erroneously voted present rather than yes on SB 700); Daniel T. Zanoza, “Senator Shows Courage,” CDH, 29 March 1997, p. I-7; “Edgar’s Budget Proposal,” CWR 13 #2, 4 April 1997; “Senator Obama’s Bills Pass Senate,” South Street Journal, 4–24 April 1997, p. 4; Nathan Gonzales, “The Ever-‘Present’ Obama,” WSJ, 14 February 2007; Sam Youngman, “Abortion Foes Target Obama Because of His Vote Record on Illinois Legislation,” The Hill, 15 February 2007; “Obama Abortion Dodges Blessed by Planned Parenthood,” ABCNews.com, 17 July 2007; Dave McKinney, “Hillary Slams Obama ‘Present’ Votes on Abortion, Gun Laws,” CST, 4 December 2007; Raymond Hernandez and Christopher Drew, “It’s Not Just ‘Ayes’ and ‘Nays,’” NYT, 20 December 2007; Richard Wolffe and Karen Springen, “The Incremental Revolutionary,” Newsweek, 21 January 2008, pp. 38ff.; David Schaper, “Examing Obama’s ‘Present’ Votes in Illinois,” All Things Considered, NPR, 23 January 2008; Peter Wallsten, “Obama Said Oops Six Times on Votes as a State Senator,” LAT, 24 January 2008 (noting 18 and 20 March 1997); Daniel C. Vock, “‘Present’ Votes Defended by Illinois Lawmakers,” Stateline.org, 25 January 2008; Eli Saslow, “From Outsider to Politician,” WP, 9 October 2008; DJG interviews with Pat Welch, Vince Williams, Mike Lieteau, and Willie Delgado.

  37. Steven R. Strahler, “Chicago Observer,” CCB, 24 March 1997, p. 42; Lisa Fingeret, “Political Organization Celebrates 30 Years of Spaghetti,” HPH, 2 April 1997, p. 3; Chinta Strausberg, “Obama Says Jobs Could End Child Abuse,” CD, 8 April 1997, p. 22; Jeff Zeleny, “Hoover Trial Resonates in Many Ways,” CT, 25 March 1997; Obama, “Rethinking Approach to Juvenile Crime,” HPH, 16 April 1997, p. 4; Liza Mundy, “A Series of Fortunate Events,” WP Magazine, 12 August 2007, pp. 10ff.; E. J. Dionne Jr., “Full Faith,” TNR, 9 April 2008; Capitol Fax, 5 February 1998 (“last spring”); DJG interviews with Tom Dart, Dave Manning, Frank Clark, Mike Lieteau, Pate Philip, John Corrigan, Cindy Huebner Davidsmeyer, Linda Mills, Pam Sutherland, Christine Radogno, Cindi Canary, and Carole Travis.

  38. Bob Merrifield, “Senate Job Is Up to Walsh,” CT, 12 January 1997; Merrifield, “Party Boss Looks at Senator Post,” CT, 4 April 1997; Merrifield, “Democratic Chief Named State Senator,” CT, 8 April 1997; Nancy Ryan, “Whites at Ease in Minority Role,” CT, 8 June 1997; Capitol Fax, 21 January 1998 (“most lobbying expenses must be reported to the state, which creates a written record”); Rick Pearson and Ray Long, “Careful Steps, Looking Ahead,” CT, 3 May 2007; Obama on This Week, ABC, 13 May 2007; Christopher Wills (AP), “Clues to How Obama Would Play His Hand as President Can Be Found in Poker Style,” 24 September 2007; Wills (AP), “Obama’s Complex History with Lobbyists,” 1 December 2007; James McManus, “Aces,” New Yorker, 4 February 2008; Eli Saslow, “From Outsider to Politician,” WP, 9 October 2008; Link in “Obama as We Knew Him,” Observer, 26 October 2008, pp. 4–7; Dennis Yohnka, “President Beckons Friend Walsh to Washington for Inauguration,” KDJ, 22 January 2009; John Sullivan et al., “Public Officials Found Helping Clients of Family,” NYT, 7 January 2012; DJG interviews with Larry Walsh, Mike Lieteau, Phil Lackman, Dave Manning, Terry Link, Triste Lieteau Smith, and John Bouman.

  39. Rudd in Janny Scott, “In Illinois, Obama Proved Pragmatic and Shrewd,” NYT, 30 July 2007, p. A1; Link in “Obama as We Knew Him,” Observer, 26 October 2008, pp. 4–7; Saslow, “From Outsider to Politician,” WP, 9 October 2008; Link in Don Van Natta Jr., “The New First Golfer,” Golf Digest, February 2009, pp. 80ff.; David Heckelman, “Lawyer-Legislator Breathes Life into the Dreams of His Father,” CDLB, 26 April 1997, p. 9; Turow’s 2009 interview with Robert Draper; DJG interviews with Terry Link, James Clayborne, Dave Manning, John Bouman, Dan Shomon, Ed Wojcicki, Eric Adelstein, Rob Fisher, Tom Johnson, and Scott Turow.

  40. Senate Floor Transcript, 30 April 1997, p. 13; Jennifer Davis, “The Missing Piece,” II, May 1997, pp. 16–19; Senate Floor Transcript, 9 May 1997, p. 35 (House Bill 1080, which becomes PA 90-0249, signed 29 July 1997); R. Bruce Dold, “Happy Ending for Keystone Kids—and the Court,” CT, 21 March 1997; House Floor Transcript, 17 April 1997, pp. 315–16; “Statehouse Glance,” AP, 10 May 1997; Research Department, NRSC, “Barack Obama (D-IL): On the Record,” 22 July 2004, JRORF, pp. 6 (Obama voted “present” on HB 1558, mandating consecutive prison sentences, in Senate Judiciary on
6 May, and did not vote when the Senate unanimously passed it on 9 May) and 10 (HB 382); Senate Floor Transcript, 9 May 1997, p. 99 (Obama as Senate sponsor of HB 1619, allowing nonresidents as administrators and guardians of estates and trusts, signed into law 17 August 1997 as PA 90-0472); Senate Floor Transcript, 13 May 1997, pp. 23–24; House Floor Transcript, 13 May 1997, p. 113; “Number of Bills Down in General Assembly,” CWR 13 #3, 14 May 1997; Janota and Allen, “Daley Gives Lawmakers a Taste of Chicago During Springfield Visit,” CDH, 18 May 1997, p. I-10; “Mayor Daley and Representative Kenner Meet in Springfield ‘Taste,’” SSJ, 27 June–18 July 1997, p. 2; Senate Floor Transcript, 21 May 1997, pp. 24–25 (passage of SB 6 regarding sex offenders) and 67 (unanimous passage of Obama’s Senate Resolution 80, memorializing former Chicago police commander Mildred B. Stewart); John C. Patterson, “Sex Offender Law Could Face Court Challenge,” CDH, 22 May 1997, p. A6; Senate Floor Transcript, 22 May 1997, pp. 53, 61 (passage of HB 729, which was signed into law 18 August 1997 as PA 90-0495); Senate Floor Transcript, 31 May 1997, pp. 21–22 (final passage of Obama’s SB 574), 40–63 (HB 204), and 92–93 (SB 1129, the 1998 fiscal year budget, passed 49–9); Russ Stewart, “Philip Makes Sure GOP Remains ‘Anti-Tax’ Party,” Illinois Politics, June 1997, pp. 10–11; Dave McKinney, “State Welfare Reform OK’d; Proposal Won’t Protect Immigrants,” CST, 1 June 1997, p. 2; Kristi O’Connor, “Welfare Overhaul Bill Clears Both Houses,” SJ-R, 1 June 1997, p. 1; Rick Pearson and Christi Parsons, “School Funding Reform Plans Left for Dead,” CT, 1 June 1997; Parsons, “State Welfare Revamp Approved,” CT, 1 June 1997; Parsons, “State Set to Take Work-to-Welfare Step,” CT, 3 June 1997; Senate President James ‘Pate’ Philip, End of Session Report 1997 (Senate Republican Caucus, 1997), pp. 74–84, 106–9; “Spring Session Ends,” CWR 13 #4, 23 June 1997; Capitol Fax, 24 November 1997 and 23 April 1999; MacDougal, Make a Difference, pp. 17, 263–67; Dan A. Lewis et al., “Welfare Reform Effects in Illinois,” in Lawrence B. Joseph, ed., Families, Poverty, and Welfare Reform (Harris School, University of Chicago, 1999), pp. 126–29; David Glenn, “What the Data Actually Show About Welfare Reform,” Chronicle of Higher Education, 21 June 2002, pp. 14ff.; Lewis, Gaining Ground in Illinois: Welfare Reform and Person-Centered Policy Analysis (Northern Illinois University Press, 2010), esp. pp. 5, 20, 131; Gonzales, “The Ever-‘Present’ Obama,” WSJ, 14 February 2007; Remnick, The Bridge, p. 300; Jim Edgar’s 2010 interviews with Mark DePue; DJG interviews with Frank Watson, Dan Shomon, Mike Marrs, Scott Kaiser, Deno Perdiou, Howard Peters, John Bouman, Wendy Pollack, Dave Syverson, Kathy Parker, Debbie Lounsberry, and Nia Odeoti-Hassan. See also Obama’s remarks at the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency, 16 August 2008, Lake Forest, California: “I always believed that welfare had to be changed. I was much more concerned . . . when President Clinton initially signed the bill that this could have disastrous results” but “it worked better than . . . a lot of people anticipated.”