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| Affiliation | Republican |
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| Name | WIlliam A. "Bill" O'Connor |
| Address |
Riverside, Illinois , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | None |
| Born |
November 17, 1949
(75 years)
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| Contributor | COSDem |
| Last Modifed | RBH
Oct 05, 2016 11:42pm |
| Tags |
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| Info | For the past three years, I have had the privilege of representing the citizens of the 43rd District in the Illinois General Assembly. During this tenure, I have taken a particular legislative interest in promoting and passing legislation to address gun violence, improve health and human services for at-risk youth, protect the interests of working families and respond to local issues, including mandatory train whistle-blowing. The Democratic majority in the House makes passage of legislation for a Republican difficult at best. Nonetheless, I have successfully worked for passage of major legislation.
In the years I have served in the General Assembly, I have made friends from a multitude of backgrounds and political views. Among my closest, I count leaders in Labor, the Hispanic community and Republicans and Democrats from across the state.
I have learned what it takes to win campaigns. My primary and general elections were marked by tough battles against the Democrats, and in the case of the 2000 primary and general elections, against Cicero President Betty Loren Maltese's campaign organization as well. These elections taught me the necessary commitment for a winning campaign, how to successfully fundraise, and how to reach out to diverse organizations and community leaders.
My legal practice has permitted me to be involved in a variety of legal issues - from international business transactions to serving as a special assistant Attorney General on certain matters (prior to my State Representative tenure). Although engaged in a busy practice, I have been active on behalf of Illinois, serving as Vice Chairman on the Judicial Inquiry Board and outside counsel to the Illinois Gaming Board.
Prior to going into private law practice, I had the opportunity to serve as the Assistant Counsel to the Governor and the Governor''s Assistant on Public Safety, then ultimately as Counsel to the Governor. These experiences allowed me to participate on the administrative side of the government. I supervised all state public health and safety departments, including the Departments of Law Enforcement and Corrections.
One of my proudest achievements in government was also one of my first: I conceived of the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety, drafted the executive order and conforming legislation creating it and served as its first Director. As a response to the Three Mile Island disaster in March, 1979, the Department represented the first state nuclear regulatory agency in the nation. Taking into account issues of federal preemption as well as complex technologic concerns, the creation of the Department concretely furthered the public health and safety - as well as the economic prosperity - of the state.
I also worked with the Governor, Attorney General and legislative leaders in drafting legislation, analyzing budgets, reviewing all major litigation and reporting on agency activity. These rare and unique experiences allowed me to be a contributing member to the Republican caucus as soon as I reached Springfield as a legislator.
My clerkship for then District Court Judge Joel M. Flaum provided me a solid education on not only the workings of the federal court but also many of the challenges facing state government.
My first full-time job was as a general assignment reporter for the City News Bureau of Chicago. My time as a journalist taught me the preeminent importance of working proactively with the press. For each of my campaigns I was able to secure the endorsements of all major Chicagoland newspapers, along with the endorsements from all of my districts local papers.
In primary and general campaigns that feature opposing candidates with little statewide administrative experience, I believe my experience as a legislator, Counsel to the Governor, Director of Nuclear Safety, and Vice Chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Board is a positive factor.
During my terms as State Representative, I have run as a moderate Republican-and I have been successful. Through my efforts in the General Assembly, I have gained the support of groups that have traditionally fallen outside of the Republican framework, groups like Labor, Hispanics and pro-choice organizations. In my last election I was endorsed by the Illinois state AFL-CIO and many affiliated locals.
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