Glenn Poshard

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In 1998 Poshard ran for governor against Republican Secretary of State George Ryan. He was somewhat more conservative on social issues than Ryan, a moderate Republican. While this garnered him support from social conservatives who normally voted Republican, it also cost him some support from Chicago liberals.

In keeping with his views on campaign financing, Poshard severely curtailed contributions to his campaign. He refused to accept any corporate or special interest group donations and limited private donations to a small amount per individual. He thus faced a significant financial disadvantage in the campaign against Ryan and was outspent by a roughly 4 to 1 margin.

Poshard was first to alert the public about Ryan's connection to the "licenses for bribes" scandal and other corruption. Some individuals, even prominent Democrats like former Senator Paul Simon, criticized Poshard for his attacks on Ryan's corruption. However, Poshard was vindicated to a considerable extent when Ryan was indicted in late 2003 on 22 counts of racketeering conspiracy, mail and tax fraud, and false statements charges alleging public corruption during his terms as Illinois Secretary of State and as governor. Ryan was subsequently convicted and was sentenced to serve six and a half years in prison.

Poshard lost the governor's race to Ryan by a 47–51% margin. In his concession speech, Poshard declared that "no purpose is served by anger or resentment. No good is served by dropping out of the system in the future. The time for disappointment is only for this evening. Tomorrow we go back to work."

Continued political career

On February 10, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Poshard to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees for a term commencing January 23, 2004 and ending January 17, 2005. Poshard was confirmed by the Illinois Senate on February 26, 2004. [14] That same year, on November 16, 2004, Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Poshard to serve as the Chair of the Health Facilities Planning Board for a term ending July 1, 2007. [15] Poshard resigned from the Health Facilities Planning Board after becoming the President of Southern Illinois University. [16] In 2004, he also served as the unpaid, interim general manager of the Rend Lake Conservancy District, which supplies water to more than 60 southern Illinois towns. [17]

At the conclusion of the one-year term, Governor Blagojevich appointed Poshard to a six year term on the SIU Board of Trustees. [18] [19] Poshard was later elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees. [20] He resigned his position on the board of trustees in 2005 when he announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Southern Illinois University system. [21]

In the 2022 Democratic primary, Poshard was elected unopposed to the position of Democratic State Central Committeeman for Illinois's 12th congressional district. He serves as one of the district's two representatives to the Democratic Party of Illinois alongside Central Committeewoman Vivian Robinson. [22]

Continued higher education career

In 1999, Poshard was hired by Southern Illinois University Carbondale to serve as the Vice Chancellor of Administration. [23] He would serve in the position until his appointment to the SIU Board of Trustees.

In 2005, Poshard put his name forward for consideration to become the President of the Southern Illinois University system. [21] On November 14, 2005, the SIU Board of Trustees passed a resolution authorizing a contract to be signed between the SIU system and Poshard. The next month, at their December 8, 2005 meeting, a resolution approving the contract was passed. [24] He took office on January 1, 2006. Poshard was accused of plagiarism in 2007 after it was revealed that portions of his doctoral dissertation were lifted from another source without attribution. [25] The faculty senate at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville asked Poshard to step down as president. Poshard was later acquitted of plagiarism charges after a university committee he appointed called it "inadvertent plagiarism". [26] He retired after the 2013-14 school year. On October 7, 2022, SIU Carbondale's Transportation Education Center at Southern Illinois Airport was named the Glenn Poshard Transportation Education Center in recognition of Poshard's leadership at the SIU system. [27]

In 2016, Poshard was appointed to the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees following the death of Trustee Bill Alstat. He was elected to the position in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. [28] [29]

Morthland College's board of trustees voted unanimously to hire Poshard as the president of Morthland College effective February 13, 2017. [30] After two months in the position, citing serious issues with the college's finances and personnel that had not been disclosed during the hiring process, Poshard resigned from the position effective April 26, 2017. [31] An investigation by the United States Department of Education of financial mismanagement by the college, started in January 2017 prior to Poshard's hiring, resulted in its closure in 2018. [32] [33]

Electoral history

Glenn Poshard
GlennPoshardbio.jpg
President of Southern Illinois University
In office
January 1, 2006 May 1, 2014
Illinois gubernatorial election, 1998 [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican George Ryan / Corinne Wood 1,714,094 51.03% −12.85%
Democratic Glenn Poshard / Mary Lou Kearns1,594,19147.46%+13.02%
Reform Lawrence Redmond / Phyllis Nirchi50,3721.50%
Write-ins480.00%
Majority119,9033.57%−25.87%
Turnout 3,358,70549.72%
Republican hold Swing
DistrictIncumbentThis race
RepresentativePartyElectionResultsCandidates
Illinois 19 Glenn PoshardDemocratic 1996 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgYGlenn Poshard (Democratic) 66.69%
  • Brent Winters (Republican) 31.83%
  • Patricia Riker (Natural Law) 0.95%
  • James Lacher (Libertarian) 0.53%
Illinois 19 Glenn PoshardDemocratic 1994 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgYGlenn Poshard (Democratic) 58.4%
  • Brent Winters (Republican) 41.6%
Illinois 19 Glenn Poshard
Redistricted from the 22nd district
Democratic 1992 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgYGlenn Poshard (Democratic) 69.1%
  • Douglas E. Lee (Republican) 30.9%
Terry L. Bruce DemocraticRedistricting contest
Democratic loss.
Illinois 22 Glenn PoshardDemocratic 1990 Incumbent re-elected.
  • Green check.svgYGlenn Poshard (Democratic) 83.7%
  • Jim Wham (Independent) 16.3%
Illinois 22 Kenneth J. Gray Democratic 1988 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
  • Green check.svgYGlenn Poshard (Democratic) 64.9%
  • Patrick J. Kelley (Republican) 35.1%

References

  1. Edgar, Jim (ed.). "Congress". Illinois Blue Book 1989-1990. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 43. ASIN   B00NWC46U8. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  2. Landis, Tim (August 21, 1984). "Poshard poised for Senate bid". The Southern Illinoisan . Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. Grandolfo, Jane (August 27, 1984). "No party nod for Johns' widow; she vows to stay in Senate race". The Daily Egyptian . p. 3. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  4. Schmitz, Jay (September 4, 1984). "Winchester says change is natural step up". The Daily Egyptian . p. 4. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  5. Hillock, Darren (November 8, 1984). "Poshard jubilant after retaining state seat". The Daily Egyptian . p. 4. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  6. Franklin, Tim; Davidson, Jean (November 6, 1986). "State Democrats Bend, Don't Break". Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  7. Perry, Scott (December 9, 1988). "14 hoping to replace Poshard". The Daily Egyptian . Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  8. Gherardini, Caroline (ed.). "Woolard replaces Rea in Illinois House". Illinois Issues. 15 (2). Sangamon State University: 30. ISSN   0738-9663. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  9. Van Der Slik, Jack R. "Congressional ocean changing: Illinois delegation caught in waves". Illinois Issues. 18 (7). Sangamon State University: 8. ISSN   0738-9663. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Kilian, Michael (October 17, 1994). "Glenn the Obscure". Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  11. 1 2 Fenno Jr., Richard F. (May 12, 1996). "Glenn Poshard in Illinois, May 9-12, 1996" (PDF). University of Rochester. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  12. Hayes, Rick (May 26, 1999). "Poshard forms abused child foundation". Harrisburg Register via NewsBank.
  13. Peach, Brian (September 21, 2003). "Volunteers spend time, and more, on Cairo Women's Center". The Southern Illinoisan. p. 11 via NewsBank.
  14. Hendon, Ricky; Geo-Karis, Adeline (February 26, 2004). "Message from the Governor" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 93 (85). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Senate: 25. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  15. Handley, Joseph (November 16, 2021). "Message from the Governor" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 93 (157). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Senate: 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  16. Adrian, Matt (January 11, 2006). "Poshard steps down from health facilities planning board". The Southern Illinoisan via NewsBank.
  17. Abell, Jeff (July 7, 2004). "Poshard takes over RLCD". The Marion Republican via NewsBank.
  18. Handley, Joseph B. "Messages from the Governor" (PDF). Journal of the Illinois Senate. 94 (10). Illinois Senate: 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  19. Hale, Caleb (January 29, 2005). "Governor Re-appoints Poshard to SIU Board". The Southern Illinoisan . Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  20. Halethe, Caleb (March 12, 2004). "Poshard named trustees chairman". The Southern Illinoisan via NewsBank.
  21. 1 2 Boyer Long, Peggy (ed.). "Big People on Campus". Illinois Issues. 32 (1). Springfield, Illinois: University of Illinois at Springfield: 32. ISSN   0738-9663 . Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  22. Temple, Terra (June 30, 2022). "Bremer, Burnham win Republican primary; Windhorst wins state rep. nomination". Metropolis Planet. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  23. Bode, Gus (July 21, 1999). "Poshard hired despite controversy". The Daily Egyptian . Vol. 84, no. 170. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  24. "2005-2006 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees". OpenSIUC. Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 2006. Archived from the original on January 24, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  25. "Chronicle of Higher Education". Chronicle of Higher Education. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  26. Lloyd, Janice (January 30, 2009). "USA Today". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2015-11-08. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  27. Rosenbery, Pete (October 12, 2022). "SIU dedicates Poshard Transportation Education Center". The Benton Evening News via NewsBank.
  28. Trappe, Renee (April 6, 2021). "Rendleman, Poshard, Clark win seats on Logan College board". Carbondale Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  29. "Former Congressman Poshard Named To College Board". WAND TV. September 17, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  30. Parker, Molly (14 February 2017). "Poshard named president of Morthland College; will continue as JALC board trustee". The Southern. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  31. Smith, Isaac (May 3, 2017). "Poshard resigns as president of Morthland College". The Southern Illinoisan . Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  32. Smith, Issac (September 25, 2017). "Morthland College investigated by state, federal agencies; fined millions over alleged mishandling of federal funds". The Southern Illinoisan. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  33. Smith, Isaac (May 26, 2018). "Morthland College is closing, according to an attorney for the West Frankfort school". The Southern Illinoisan. Archived from the original on May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
  34. "Ballots Cast". Elections.illinois.gov. 1998-11-03. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 22nd congressional district

1989–1993
Constituency abolished
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 19th congressional district

1993–1999
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Illinois
1998
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative