Richard B. Ogilvie

Richard Ogilvie

Richard Buell Ogilvie (born February 22, 1923 in Kansas City , Missouri , † May 10, 1988 in Chicago , Illinois ) was an American politician and from 1969 to 1973 the 35th governor of Illinois.

Early years and political advancement

After elementary school, Ogilvie took part in a tank unit in World War II . He then studied to 1947 at Yale University . This was followed by a law degree at Chicago Kent College, which he successfully completed in 1949. He then worked as a lawyer in Chicago. His political ascent began in 1954, when he became assistant federal prosecutor. He held this position until 1955. Between 1958 and 1961, he worked for the US Department of Justice with a special mandate to combat organized crime in Chicago. In this capacity, he also brought several charges against leading gangster greats. From 1963 to 1967 he was sheriff in Cook County . In 1968 he was named by the Republican Party as their candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election.

Illinois Governor

After his narrow election victory against the incumbent Samuel H. Shapiro , Ogilvie began his four-year term on January 13, 1969. Many new institutions were created in Illinois during his tenure, including committees to improve environmental protection, social policy, human rights, and housing in some areas of the country. With the Illinois Bureau of Investigation, a new department was set up within the police force. In addition, the country's constitution was revised and modernized. At that time, an independent Ministry of Transport was created to which control of the country's highways was subordinated. At the same time, income tax was introduced in Illinois, and the money was used to finance the expansion of the school system. The tax was very unpopular and cost Ogilvie re-election in 1972.

Another résumé

After his tenure ended on January 8, 1973, Ogilvie devoted himself mainly to his private affairs. From 1976 to 1978 he was a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Railway Association . From 1979 to 1985 he was the bankruptcy administrator of the bankrupt Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road). In 1987 he was appointed to a committee to investigate the profitability of the Amtrak passenger transportation company . The ex-governor died the following year.

Web links

• Richard Ogilvie in the National Governor Association (English)
• Illinois Blue Book History and Election Results, p. 373
• Richard B. Ogilvie in the database of Find a Grave (English)