Robert L. Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert L. Butler
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| Mayor of Marion, Illinois | |
| In office May 1963 – January 31, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Cooksey |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Rinella |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 23, 1927 Marion, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 22, 2019 (aged 92) Marion, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Louetta Sanders |
| Relations | Homer M. Butler (father) Eva Butler (mother) |
| Children | 1 |
| Residences | Marion, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | University of Illinois (J.D.) |
Robert Lee Butler was a very important person in Marion, Illinois. He was the mayor of Marion for a very long time, from May 1963 until January 2018. When he stopped being mayor, he was one of the longest-serving mayors in the entire United States. He was born on January 23, 1927, and passed away on April 22, 2019.
Contents
Robert L. Butler: A Long-Serving Mayor
Early Life and Family
Robert Butler grew up in Marion, Illinois. His family had a history of serving the community. His grandfather, J. H. Clarida, was also a mayor of Marion many years before. Robert's father, Homer M. Butler, served on the city council and in the state government.
Robert went to Marion High School. He was the editor of the school newspaper. He was also an Eagle Scout, which is the highest rank in Boy Scouts. He even worked at a summer camp for Scouts.
After high school, Robert served in the United States Army. He worked in intelligence in Japan and Korea after World War II. Later, he went to the University of Illinois Law School and became a lawyer in 1952. Before becoming mayor, he worked as a lawyer for Williamson County.
Becoming Mayor
In 1963, Robert Butler decided to run for mayor of Marion. There were many candidates, including the current mayor, Robert Cooksey. Butler was 36 years old, one of the younger candidates.
During his campaign, Butler promised to bring more jobs and help the city's economy grow. He also wanted to fix problems with water supply, sewer lines, and flood control. He believed the mayor should make decisions that are best for all the people.
The local newspaper, the Southern Illinoisan, supported Butler. They said he offered a good choice for the city. In the election on April 16, Robert Butler won and became the new mayor of Marion.
Key Moments as Mayor
Mayor Butler led Marion through many difficult times.
- 1982 Tornado: In 1982, a powerful tornado hit Marion. It caused a lot of damage, sadly killing 10 people and injuring 200. Mayor Butler helped the city recover from this disaster.
- 1997 Fire: In 1997, a big fire destroyed the town's civic center. Again, Mayor Butler was there to help the community rebuild.
- Electric Rate Increase: In 2007, Mayor Butler spoke out against a large increase in electricity prices in Illinois. This issue was even featured in The New York Times.
In 2015, Robert Butler won his 14th election for mayor. This made him the longest-serving mayor in the history of Illinois. He served for 52 years! He resigned in January 2018 due to health reasons.
Involvement in State Politics
Beyond being mayor, Robert Butler also played a role in state government. In 1970, he was a delegate for the Illinois Constitutional Convention. This was a special meeting to create a new constitution for the state. He suggested that the state's education board should be elected by different regions.
In 1976, he ran for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. He was a Republican candidate, but he did not win that election.
His Passing
Robert Butler passed away on April 22, 2019, in Marion, Illinois. On the same day, a new mayor, Mike Absher, was sworn into office. This was the first time a new mayor other than Robert Butler had been sworn in since 1959.
