Beverly Fawell

Beverly Fawell (September 17, 1930 - ) is an Illinois politician from Glen Ellyn, part of a family prominent in the Republican Party in Du Page County, Illinois (her brother-in-law was Congressman Harris Fawell).

She served as a member of the Illinois General Assembly from the 41st district (1981–82), and as a member of the Illinois Senate from the 20th district from 1983 until she resigned her seat in late 1999 after the death of her son Steve, reportedly to take care of his orphaned children,[1] but in January 2000 was appointed to a $85,00-a-year job post as chief of communications and community relations for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.[2] She was succeeded by Peter Roskam.

George Ryan connection

In 1994, Fawell withstood a strong challenge in the Republican primary election from Michael Formento, a DuPage County Board member, former mayor of Glen Ellyn and intra-party foe of Senate President James "Pate" Philip.[3] It was later revealed that Fawell had received assistance from the office of Illinois Secretary of State George Ryan in her primary campaign, aid coordinated by her son Scott Fawell (who was convicted in March 2003 as part of Operation Safe Road for this and other corrupt activities).[4]

References

  1. ^ Thompson, Don. "Fawell plans to leave office to help raise grandsons." Daily Herald, June 29, 1999; p. 5
  2. ^ "Tollway board names Fawell to executive post" Chicago Tribune Southwest Edition January 21, 2000; Metro Southwest section, p. 2
  3. ^ Pearson, Rick and Eric Krol. "Dillard And Fawell Pass Tough Tests" Chicago Tribune March 16, 1994.
  4. ^ Merriner, James L. The man who emptied death row: Governor George Ryan and the politics of crime SIU Press, 2008; pp. 129-154