Jesse White (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse White
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White in 2015
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| 37th Secretary of State of Illinois | |
| In office January 11, 1999 – January 9, 2023 |
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| Governor |
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| Preceded by | George Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Alexi Giannoulias |
| Cook County Recorder of Deeds | |
| In office December 1, 1992 – January 11, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Carol Moseley Braun |
| Succeeded by | Eugene Moore |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 1975 – December 1, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | James Houlihan |
| Succeeded by | Robert LeFlore |
| Constituency | 8th district (1983–1992) 13th district (1979–1983) |
| In office January 8, 1975 – January 12, 1977 |
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| Preceded by | Robert L. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Daniel P. O'Brien/ Elroy C. Sandquist Jr. |
| Constituency | 13th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jesse Clark White
June 23, 1934 Alton, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Alabama State University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1957–1959 |
| Unit | 101st Airborne Division • Illinois National Guard |
Jesse Clark White (born June 23, 1934) is an American leader from Illinois. He has been a teacher, an athlete, and a politician. He served as the 37th Secretary of State of Illinois from 1999 to 2023. He held this important job longer than anyone else in history.
Jesse White is a member of the Democratic Party. He was very popular during his time in office. Before becoming Secretary of State, he worked as the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He is also famous for starting the Jesse White Tumbling Team.
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Jesse White's Early Life and Career
Jesse White was born in Alton, Illinois. He went to Alabama State University on a sports scholarship. There, he played both baseball and basketball. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1957. While in college, he even met Martin Luther King Jr..
After college, Jesse White served in the United States Army. He was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division from 1957 to 1959. He also served in the Illinois National Guard.
A Passion for Sports and Helping Kids
Jesse White was a talented athlete from a young age. He played baseball and basketball in high school in Chicago. He was even inducted into several sports halls of fame. These include the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame and the Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
He played professional baseball in the minor leagues for the Chicago Cubs organization. In 2021, the Cubs honored him by signing him to a special one-day contract. This made him a "Cub for life."
In 1959, Jesse White started the Jesse White Tumbling Team. He wanted to give kids in Chicago a positive activity. Over 18,500 young people have been part of this team. It teaches them discipline, teamwork, and helps them stay active.
From Teacher to Public Servant
Jesse White worked for 33 years in the Chicago Public Schools. He was a teacher and an administrator. He then began his long career in public service.
He was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 1974. He served there for 16 years. Later, he became the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. He held this position from 1992 to 1999.
Jesse White as Secretary of State
Jesse White was first elected Secretary of State of Illinois in 1998. He was re-elected many times because he was very popular. In 2002, he won by a huge number of votes. He received more than 2.3 million votes, which was a record for a statewide candidate in Illinois.
He continued to win elections in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018. He was known for his dedication to public safety and improving services.
Making Roads Safer for Everyone
As Secretary of State, Jesse White worked hard to make roads safer. In 2007, he helped create new laws for teen drivers. These laws made Illinois's graduated driver licensing (GDL) program one of the best in the country. After these laws, teen car crashes dropped by over 40 percent.
He also focused on truck safety. He made rules stricter for getting a CDL. Illinois was the first state to require new tests for truck drivers moving from other states. This helped make sure all truck drivers in Illinois were well-trained.
Improving Services and Restoring Trust
Jesse White used new technology to make services better for people. This meant shorter wait times at driver licensing offices. More people could do things online, like renewing their licenses. This made things much easier for the public.
He was also a strong supporter of organ and tissue donation. He helped create a registry where people could legally decide to donate. Millions of people have signed up for this important program.
When Jesse White first became Secretary of State, there were some problems in the office. He promised to fix them and make sure everything was honest. He set up strict rules for employees and hired an Inspector General. This person's job was to find and stop any wrongdoing.
A Stand for Integrity
In 2009, Jesse White made a big decision that gained national attention. The governor at the time was facing serious issues. He had appointed someone to a U.S. Senate seat. Jesse White refused to sign the official document for this appointment.
He believed it was important to show that the process was fair and honest. The Illinois Supreme Court agreed that he did not have to sign the document. This showed his commitment to doing what was right, even when it was difficult.
Other Achievements and Recognition
Jesse White has been recognized for his contributions to the community. In 1999, he was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. In 2015, he received the Jane Addams Award. This award honored his excellent work in social service.
