doi:10.7916/ev3d-4084Oral history interview with John J. Cullerton, 2020Cullerton, Johnoral historiesmixed materialPresidents--United StatesCapital punishment--Law and legislation--IllinoisCampaign funds--Law and legislation--IllinoisWearable video devices in police work--IllinoisPolice misconduct--Prevention.--IllinoisIllinois Politics and governmentCullerton, JohnObama, BarackIllinois. General AssemblyJohn 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 requiring 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.