Adlai Ewing Stevenson III, age 90, diagnosed several years ago with Lewy Body Disease. Small, private funeral planned for this weekend. Larger celebration of his life will await post-pandemic era.
My career, such that it is/was, got started with Adlai as the standard-bearer for Illinois Democrats. I still wonder how my life would have been different had he beaten Jim Thompson in 1982, and how different Illinois history would have been.
As much as anyone, he was living proof that having strongly held principles is a political liability, but also a prerequisite for the job.
As I recall the number was 5,084 votes. Should have been a full recount.
I remember being in a ballroom at the Blackstone the day after the election hearing his campaign manager refer to him as the Governor-elect and the room exploding with applause. Quite an electric moment.
Shook his hand but did not know the guy. By all accounts an honorable man. Rest in peace.
A true statesman. A credit to his name and family and Illinois
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:10 pm:
Worked for Adlai in the Senate and Governor campaigns.
Very decent man.
I remember a campaign speech that he gave before a group of union delegates. It was a “barn burner” of a speech. We were working on commercial ideas. The speech was taped and later used in a commercial so some of you might remember it. I will never forget his passion and how he had the delegates on their feet cheering.
Like 47th Ward, I also wonder what life would have been like if he had won that Governor’s race, but one thing I am certain of is that Illinois was a better place because of Adlai Stevenson.
Met him briefly when he was campaigning down at Y of I. Seemed really pleasant and spoke well. I believed he said when asked about children if there was going to be any more Adlai s and he said he promised his wife that he was Adlai the Last I am not a fan of dynasties with politicians but his was a family that could carry it off.
I got to meet him when I was a grad student. We had a small group lunch with him. I remember him being very intelligent and we talked a lot about the emergence of China on the international trade scene.
I’m glad I got to meet him. He was very kind and gracious with his time.
My father was his running mate during the ill-fated 1986 Gubernatorial campaign. Adlai was a true statesman and gentleman in every sense of the word. Our sincere condolences to his family. He was a great man.
My mom was tight with him and worked all of his campaigns going back to the 60s. Gracious and generous are probably the best ways to describe him. Wish we had more like that
He got a bad break when he ran for governor (LaRouchies). I met him twice during the campaign. Both times Gary LaPaille was ushering him around a room filled with people. He was so gracious and interested in who you were. Paul Simon was the same way. As it turned out…In many ways, Thompson was probably more liberal than AES.
A fine public servant who was responsible, among other accomplishments, for excellent appointments t9 the federal courts in Illinois.
A campaign aide told me Adlai was quietly angry disappointed that Jim Thompson had a more macho image, since Stevenson had served honorably as a tank platoon commander in Korea.
He would have been the best Illinois Governor since his dad.
Requiescat in pacem. We need more Adlais in today’s political discourse, to outweigh the braying of the Blagos and deSantises in both parties. Am hopeful that there are more Adlais among our future political leaders. What are we doing to develop them?
It was certainly an interesting time in Illinois politics. I was with my Dad that evening. Being before the Internet we were receiving results before the news outlets directly from key precincts. There were numerous phone calls between Adlai, my Dad, David Axelrod and many other campaign people and Attorneys. I’ll never forget it. Ironically, that campaign is still mentioned occasionally in articles or studies about political campaigns.
When Adlai III was first thinking about entering politics, he reportedly asked Mayor Richard J. Daley for advice. The mayor responded: “Whatever you do, don’t change your name.”
I just found out my memory was off a bit. I thought he rose to prominence because he won the most votes for the 1970 Illinois constitutional convention. I looked it up and it turns out that single ballot was in 1964. Due to a fight over reapportionment there was one state wide ballot for state representatives and he won as an At-large Representative.
I recall that Adlai III said he asked his dad if he had any advice for him as he entered politics. He said his father told him not to run against a war hero.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 5:53 pm:
A smart, gentle man - my memory is also of the LaRouche primary and his response when asked about it: “I’ll never take another one for granted again” - not the words but his tone - realistic, with a bit of self-effacing humor. And of course NOBODY saw it coming.
I miss the era of when we had good people on both sides running in most big races - the differences were serious, but you knew that the office was in safe hands regardless.
- Paddyrollingstone - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 2:39 pm:
Was standing next to him at a wake about 10 years ago and he could not have been more gracious. May he sit at the right hand of God.
- A Guy - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 2:44 pm:
Campaigning with a broken foot, after he had to form a third party to shake the LaRouchies. He campaigned with a tough injury. Very pleasant guy.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 2:48 pm:
My career, such that it is/was, got started with Adlai as the standard-bearer for Illinois Democrats. I still wonder how my life would have been different had he beaten Jim Thompson in 1982, and how different Illinois history would have been.
As much as anyone, he was living proof that having strongly held principles is a political liability, but also a prerequisite for the job.
RIP Senator. Wish we had more like you.
- Blue Dog - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 2:51 pm:
Adlai had numerous quotes of fame. I wish I knew how to copy links, but if you have time, look them up. Fantastic.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 2:55 pm:
As I recall the number was 5,084 votes. Should have been a full recount.
I remember being in a ballroom at the Blackstone the day after the election hearing his campaign manager refer to him as the Governor-elect and the room exploding with applause. Quite an electric moment.
Shook his hand but did not know the guy. By all accounts an honorable man. Rest in peace.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 2:57 pm:
Didn’t know he was still alive, he laid pretty low. RIP. Vaguely recall that he looked a lot like his dad, who won the governor’s seat.
- GatewayGopher - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:00 pm:
“I am prepared to wait for an answer until Hell freezes over, if that is your decision. I am also prepared to present the evidence in this room.”
While, I saw it on movie Thirteen Days, it resonates as an example of putting your throat on the guillotine while axes are in many hands.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
““I am prepared to wait for an answer until Hell freezes over,……”
I believe that was his father, Adlai II.
- RWP - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:07 pm:
GatewayGopher, that was his father. Adlai Stevenson II
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:08 pm:
A true statesman. A credit to his name and family and Illinois
- Back to the Future - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:10 pm:
Worked for Adlai in the Senate and Governor campaigns.
Very decent man.
I remember a campaign speech that he gave before a group of union delegates. It was a “barn burner” of a speech. We were working on commercial ideas. The speech was taped and later used in a commercial so some of you might remember it. I will never forget his passion and how he had the delegates on their feet cheering.
Like 47th Ward, I also wonder what life would have been like if he had won that Governor’s race, but one thing I am certain of is that Illinois was a better place because of Adlai Stevenson.
- ANNON'IN - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:17 pm:
Actually he probably won,but was beaten to Bd of Elections and Cook County clerk by Big Jim Nd his USA buddies
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:40 pm:
Met him briefly when he was campaigning down at Y of I. Seemed really pleasant and spoke well. I believed he said when asked about children if there was going to be any more Adlai s and he said he promised his wife that he was Adlai the Last I am not a fan of dynasties with politicians but his was a family that could carry it off.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:41 pm:
too many and very personal memories, two campaigns worked and one missed but connected in a way. A smart and principled man.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:41 pm:
=== he said he promised his wife that he was Adlai the Last===
Narrator: He wasn’t https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adlai_Stevenson_IV
- sulla - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:46 pm:
I got to meet him when I was a grad student. We had a small group lunch with him. I remember him being very intelligent and we talked a lot about the emergence of China on the international trade scene.
I’m glad I got to meet him. He was very kind and gracious with his time.
- Kurt Sangmeister - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:47 pm:
My father was his running mate during the ill-fated 1986 Gubernatorial campaign. Adlai was a true statesman and gentleman in every sense of the word. Our sincere condolences to his family. He was a great man.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:53 pm:
5074 votes to be exact in the 1978 election cycle.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 3:53 pm:
My mom was tight with him and worked all of his campaigns going back to the 60s. Gracious and generous are probably the best ways to describe him. Wish we had more like that
- Old Lobster - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:13 pm:
He got a bad break when he ran for governor (LaRouchies). I met him twice during the campaign. Both times Gary LaPaille was ushering him around a room filled with people. He was so gracious and interested in who you were. Paul Simon was the same way. As it turned out…In many ways, Thompson was probably more liberal than AES.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:13 pm:
“5074 votes to be exact in the 1978 election cycle.”
1982
- Old Lobstre - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:15 pm:
Kurt Sangmeister, I knew your Dad too. Another real gentleman.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:17 pm:
A fine public servant who was responsible, among other accomplishments, for excellent appointments t9 the federal courts in Illinois.
A campaign aide told me Adlai was quietly angry disappointed that Jim Thompson had a more macho image, since Stevenson had served honorably as a tank platoon commander in Korea.
He would have been the best Illinois Governor since his dad.
- Old Lobster - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:19 pm:
His running mate, George Sangmeister, was also a true gentleman. I knew him when he was in the State Senate.
- froganoan - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:23 pm:
May he Rest In Peace. I did not have the pleasure of meeting him but admired him from afar. The world is a better place because of men like him.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:32 pm:
That Adlai was a Marine lieutenant in the Korean War … and Jim Thompson was 4F.
- Ares - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:36 pm:
Requiescat in pacem. We need more Adlais in today’s political discourse, to outweigh the braying of the Blagos and deSantises in both parties. Am hopeful that there are more Adlais among our future political leaders. What are we doing to develop them?
- Kurt Sangmeister - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:42 pm:
Old Lobster - thank you for the kind thoughts.
It was certainly an interesting time in Illinois politics. I was with my Dad that evening. Being before the Internet we were receiving results before the news outlets directly from key precincts. There were numerous phone calls between Adlai, my Dad, David Axelrod and many other campaign people and Attorneys. I’ll never forget it. Ironically, that campaign is still mentioned occasionally in articles or studies about political campaigns.
- a·poc·ry·phal ?.. - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:43 pm:
When Adlai III was first thinking about entering politics, he reportedly asked Mayor Richard J. Daley for advice. The mayor responded: “Whatever you do, don’t change your name.”
- Florida or Bust - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:53 pm:
Him falling off the horse….was a bad day for us campaigners…
- Saluki Babe - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 4:54 pm:
Him falling off the horse…bad day for we campaigners. True gentleman and brilliant. RIP. You were a gift to our state.
- City Guy - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 5:10 pm:
I just found out my memory was off a bit. I thought he rose to prominence because he won the most votes for the 1970 Illinois constitutional convention. I looked it up and it turns out that single ballot was in 1964. Due to a fight over reapportionment there was one state wide ballot for state representatives and he won as an At-large Representative.
- Lt Guv - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 5:20 pm:
My memory is that both he and Nancy were nice & gracious. However, Nancy got the dynamic gene.
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 5:26 pm:
I recall that Adlai III said he asked his dad if he had any advice for him as he entered politics. He said his father told him not to run against a war hero.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Sep 7, 21 @ 5:53 pm:
A smart, gentle man - my memory is also of the LaRouche primary and his response when asked about it: “I’ll never take another one for granted again” - not the words but his tone - realistic, with a bit of self-effacing humor. And of course NOBODY saw it coming.
I miss the era of when we had good people on both sides running in most big races - the differences were serious, but you knew that the office was in safe hands regardless.