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Bill Morris (Illinois politician)

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Bill Morris
Mayor of Waukegan, Illinois
In office
May 1977 (1977-May) – May 1985 (1985-May)
Preceded byRobert Sabonjian
Succeeded byRobert Sabonjian
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 31st district
In office
January 1975 (1975-Jan) – May 1977 (1977-May)
Preceded byJohn H. Conolly
Succeeded byLarry Leonard
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSue
ChildrenTwo
ResidenceGrayslake, Illinois
Alma materNorthern Illinois University

Bill Morris is a politician from Illinois who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate and as Mayor of Waukegan, Illinois. He is a graduate of Marmion Academy and Northern Illinois University.[1] In 1974, he defeated incumbent Republican John H. Conolly that saw the Democratic Party win a majority of seats in the Illinois Senate for the first time in over a decade. While in the Senate, he was a member of the "Crazy 8," a group of reform-minded Democrats, and an opponent of the Regional Transportation Authority.[2][3]

In 1977, he ran for Mayor of Waukegan, defeating incumbent Robert Sabonjian who would defeat his efforts for a third term in 1985.[4] Larry Leonard, a fellow newscaster and Democratic precinct committeeman, was appointed to succeed Morris. Leonard lost his election bid to Adeline Geo-Karis.[5] After leaving the Mayor's office, he has served as a member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Illinois Blue Book, 1975-1976. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. 1976. p. 132.
  2. ^ Heinecke, Burnell (1976-01-30). "New force in Senate: They call themselves 'The Crazy 8'". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  3. ^ McManus, Ed (December 1978). "Custody fight over 5-year-old RTA". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  4. ^ Myers, Lynett (March 28, 1985). "Controversial Ex-mayor Of Waukegan In Thick Of Race Again". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  5. ^ "GOP will gain seats in Senate but not enough". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. August 1978. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  6. ^ Pyke, Marni (March 28, 1985). "'Squeaky wheel' Bill Morris, George Pradel off tollway board". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights. Retrieved May 19, 2017.