Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award. Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and John Shaw, director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, announced White’s selection on Aug. 8.
Edgar and Shaw applauded White’s half-century of constructive, practical and principled leadership in Illinois.
White, a native of Alton, Illinois, served in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, played baseball in the Chicago Cubs farm system and created the nationally famous Jesse White Tumbling Team for underprivileged young people.
He served in the Illinois House of Representatives, as the Cook County Recorder of Deeds and as the 37th Illinois Secretary of State. As secretary of state from 1999 to 2023, White worked for traffic safety, teen driver safety, strong DUI laws, truck safety, and enhanced organ and tissue donations.
“I first met Secretary White in the 1970s when we were both junior members of the Illinois General Assembly,” Edgar said. “Jesse has always been modest, gracious and committed to working with members of both parties to solve problems.”
“Jesse respected the people of Illinois, and they liked and respected him – and -voted for him in record numbers.”
Shaw said White’s career illustrates the value of searching for common ground and viewing everyone as potential allies and partners.
“Secretary White has been a model public servant,” Shaw said. “He has demonstrated the ability to set partisanship aside to advance the public interest.”
The annual Simon-Edgar Statesmanship Award is presented to an elected state or local government official in Illinois who has demonstrated a pattern of public service characterized by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility and bipartisanship.
The Simon-Edgar Award shines a spotlight on remarkable leadership that is taking place in our state and our communities, inspiring current and future public servants to act in the best traditions of Illinois.
Edgar, the 38th governor of Illinois, founded the Edgar Fellows Program at the University of Illinois’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs. Shaw is the director of SIU Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
- H-W - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 10:51 am:
Truly deserving. Above all else good, White was a remarkable statesman.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 11:00 am:
I wonder if Vallas was at the ceremony
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 11:06 am:
A very unique award for a very unique public official and political figure. An excellent choice who can be seen as a role model for many on multiple levels. Great choice
- thisjustinagain - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 11:07 am:
It is entirely appropriate that Jesse White has been given such a prestigious award; his service in many roles has been exemplary.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 11:35 am:
Despite one small endorsement misjudgment, it’s a well deserved award for Jesse.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 12:04 pm:
Hard to think of a more deserving recipient.
- Proud Papa Bear - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 12:15 pm:
Jesse White was that rare politician who seemed to transcend party affiliation. I’ve known dyed-in-the-wool Republicans who said things like “I refuse to vote for any Democrat, except for Jesse White.”
- Gravitas - Wednesday, Aug 9, 23 @ 2:04 pm:
Congratulations! I saw Jesse White in June and he was looking remarkably fit.
It is often overlooked that Jesse White did an exemplary job as the Cook County Recorder of Deeds also. While he held the position, the Recorder’s office was professional and efficient. Too many of his predecessors and successors treated the office like a patronage pit.
He played seven years in minor league baseball (3B-OF). White’s lack of long ball power probably prevented his promotion to the big leagues with the Cubs. White hit only six home runs in the minors and only one at the AAA level. Smooth fielding middle infielders are sometimes excused for lacking offensive production, but those playing 3B and OF need to put up better numbers. White was primarily a singles hitter. Check his statistics, if you like:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=white-001jes