Dan Walker Dead at 92

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Published on April 29 2015 11:59 am
Last Updated on April 29 2015 12:00 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

An early 70s icon in Illinois politics has died. Former Governor Dan Walker has passed away at the age of 92 at his California home.

The colorful populist created a legend by walking nearly 1200 miles on the campaign trail in 1971. He defeated then-Lieutenant Governor Paul Simon in a bitter Democratic Primary after attacking Simon for accepting an endorsement from Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. He went on to narrowly defeat incumbent Republican Richard Ogilvie by a 51% to 49% margin.

Walker continued to battle with Daley's political organization, backing state legislative candidates opposing Daley allies. He had first raised Daley's ire with criticism of his handling of the 1968 Democrat National Convention. Walker also lacked a good relationship with both parties in the legislature. Walker did leave his mark though, signing the bill creating the state lottery, making deep cuts in the state payroll, cracking down on welfare cheats and opening state jobs and contracts to minorities.

Daley exacted revenge in 1976 when his favored candidate, Secretary of State Michael Howlett, defeated Walker in the Democratic Primary. Howlett would go on to defeat at the hands of Jim Thompson.

Like some other Illinois governors, Walker found himself in prison, but in his case it was tied to his actions after he left office and in the private sector. In 1987 he was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $1.4 million in bank loans. He served less than a year and a half.

Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement on Dan Walker's death. “Diana and I are saddened to learn of the passing of former Governor Dan Walker. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”