John Cullerton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Cullerton
38th President of the Illinois Senate
In office January 14, 2009 – January 19, 2020
Preceded by	Emil Jones
Succeeded by	Don Harmon
Member of the Illinois Senate from the 6th district
In office January 31, 1991 – January 20, 2020
Preceded by	Dawn Clark Netsch
Succeeded by	Sara Feigenholtz
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 7th district 12th district (1979–1983)
In office January 10, 1979 – January 31, 1991
Preceded by	Ellis B. Levin
Succeeded by	Ann Stepan
Personal details
Born	(1948-10-28) October 28, 1948 (age 75) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Pam Cullerton
Children	5
Education	Loyola University, Chicago (BA, JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1970–1976
Unit	Illinois National Guard

John J. Cullerton (born October 28, 1948) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 6th district from his appointment in 1991 to 2020. He served as President of the Illinois Senate from 2009 to 2020.

On November 14, 2019 Cullerton announced to the other members of the Senate Democratic Caucus that he intended to retire in January 2020. Cullerton was then replaced by the State Senator for the 39th district, Don Harmon in a closed door vote of the Illinois Senate on January 19, 2020. Cullerton formally resigned from the Senate the next day.

Early life

Cullerton is a native of Chicago. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from Loyola University of Chicago, where he also earned his J.D. degree. After graduating from law school, Cullerton served as a Chicago Assistant Public Defender. He went on to work at the law firm of Fagel and Haber.

Cullerton is a member of the Cullerton political family, dating its political involvement back to longtime Chicago alderman Edward Cullerton.

Political career

Illinois House

In 1979, he was elected to the Illinois General Assembly where he served for twelve years as a member of the House of Representatives. He served as Democratic Floor Leader. According to Cullerton's campaign website, he sponsored the most bills and had the most bills passed of all legislators in the 93rd and 94th General Assemblies.

Illinois Senate

After being appointed to fill Dawn Clark Netsch's seat in 1991, Cullerton was elected to the state senate in 1992 where he was appointed Senate Majority Caucus Whip. Cullerton has been recognized for sponsoring more bills than any other legislator and having more signed into law by the governor.

In 1994, Cullerton challenged embattled incumbent Dan Rostenkowski in the Democratic primary for Illinois's 5th congressional district, placing second of five candidates, behind Rostenkowski and ahead of three others (including former aldermen Dick Simpson and Michael A. Wojik).

Cullerton was chosen as the senate president by the Senate Democratic Caucus on November 19, 2008 to begin serving in 2009, replacing the retiring Emil Jones.

His first legislative priority as senate president was to pass the first Capital Bill in 10 years, which allocated roughly $31 billion for public works projects and created tens of thousands of jobs in Illinois Public Act 096-0036 [1]. Cullerton led the senate during the impeachment trial, and subsequent removal, of former Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Cullerton served as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Professional career

Cullerton served part-time as an Illinois state senator. Fagel Haber merged with Thompson Coburn LLP in 2007, and Cullerton continues as a partner, practicing in the areas of government relations, zoning, licensing, real estate tax assessment, and nonprofit law.

Retirement

Cullerton announced in November 2019 that he would officially retire and step down as Illinois Senate President in January 2020.

Personal life

Cullerton and his wife, Pam, have five children.