Otto Kerner, Jr.

Otto Kerner, Jr. ( born August 15, 1908 in Chicago, Illinois; † May 9, 1976 ) was an American politician and from 1961 to 1968 the 33rd Governor of the State of Illinois.

Early years and political rise

Otto Kerner attended to 1930, the Brown University in Providence and then studied until 1934 at Northwestern University law. Between 1930 and 1931 he also studied for a year at the University of Cambridge in England. In 1934 he joined the National Guard of Illinois. During the Second World War he was employed both in Europe and in the Pacific. Until 1946 he remained in active military service, then in the reserve. In 1954, he retired as a major general of the National Guard from all over from the military service. Between 1947 and 1954 he was United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. From 1955 to 1960 he was a judge in Cook County. In 1960 he was set up by the Democratic Party as a candidate for the gubernatorial elections.

Governor of Illinois

After his successful election against the Republican incumbent William Stratton Kerner took up his new post on January 9, 1961. During his reign he promoted the economic development of his state and education policy. He campaigned for improvements in health care and called for equality in the allocation of jobs and housing. Through an amendment to the Constitution of Illinois, a state-wide unified court system was introduced in 1962. In November 1962 Illinois became the first state to ratify the 24th Amendment. In 1966, a first success of the economic policies of the governor showed because this year Illinois was the highest of any state in relation to the export of commercial goods. Otto Kerner was a member of several associations governor and gained a good reputation through its commitment to racial equality. These views he represented in a 1967 set up by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson Consultant Commission ( National Advisory Commision on Civil Disorders ).

Further CV

Governor Kerner, who was re-elected in 1964, resigned on 21 May 1968 to take up the office of a judge of the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh District Court. This Court has already his father Otto Kerner Sr. had from 1939 belongs to 1952, who was also Attorney General of Illinois.

Until 1974 remained Kerner judge. His merits as governor were overshadowed by scandals surrounding his person. He was sentenced to imprisonment for various offenses, including bribery, perjury, mail fraud, tax evasion and stock fraud. These offenses he committed during his time as governor or as a judge. After being diagnosed with fatal cancer, he was released early from prison. He died shortly afterwards in 1976.