Oral history interview with John J. Cullerton, 2020
Abstract
John Cullerton discusses his work with Barack Obama in the Illinois Senate, in which he served from 1991 to 2020, and for which he served as president from 2009 to 2020. Cullerton speaks widely about Obama's years in the Senate, and provides details about notable legislative initiatives with which he and Obama were closely involved, including campaign finance reform; criminal justice reform; laws r equiring the video recording of traffic stops and criminal confessions; and death penalty reform. He also considers Obama's reception in Springfield, describes their shared commitment to bipartisan lawmaking, and shares memories of his service with Obama on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Also discussed are Obama's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2004; Obama's interactions with outside interest groups during legislative processes; Obama's connection to Emil Jones; Obama's development as a public speaker; and the siting of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Presidents--United States; Capital punishment--Law and legislation--Illinois; Campaign funds--Law and legislation--Illinois; Wearable video devices in police work--Illinois; Police misconduct--Prevention.--Illinois; Illinois Politics and government; Cullerton, John; Obama, Barack; Illinois. General Assembly
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2020
Physical Description
38 pages
Note (Biographical)
John Cullerton is an American lawyer and politician from Illinois. He served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 7th and 12th districts from 1979 to 1991, and as a member of the Illinois Senate from the 6th district from 1991 to 2020. From 2009 to 2020, Cullerton was president of the Illinois Senate
Note
Interviewed by Adam Green on December 18, 2020. This interview is part of the University of Chicago: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
John J. Cullerton, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023