Arthur R. Swanson (May 28, 1926 – October 29, 2010) was an American businessman and politician. Swanson was born in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood and attended Chicago public schools. Swanson went to the Morgan Park Junior College. He then served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

as a paratrooper during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

in the Pacific. Swanson was involved in the real estate business in Chicago. In the 1962 general election, Swanson defeated Democratic incumbent Robert Maher in a close race. He served as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

in the Illinois Senate from 1963 to 1971 from the 28th district. The 28th district, located on the southwest side of Chicago, included all or parts of Mount Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park,

West Pullman West Pullman is a neighborhood located on the far south side of the city of Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the 77 official community areas of Chicago. The Neighborhood of West Pullman was largely inhabited by workers of the Pullman Train Compa ...

, Roseland, Auburn Gresham, and Washington Heights. While a member of the Senate, Swanson proposed making it a felony for landlords to violate the building code as a way to fight blight. Democratic candidate

Thomas Hynes Thomas C. Hynes (November 5, 1938 – May 4, 2019) was a physics teacher who served as Cook County Assessor, President of the Illinois Senate, and 19th Ward Democratic Committeeman. Hynes was also a candidate for Mayor of Chicago in 1987. He was ...

defeated Swanson in the 1970 general election. Swanson then became a

lobbyist In politics, lobbying, persuasion or interest representation is the act of lawfully attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying, which ...

for various clients including large unit school districts. Swanson was convicted in 2006 for lying to a grand jury for some work he did as part of a lobbying assignment at

McCormick Place McCormick Place is the largest convention center in North America. It consists of four interconnected buildings and one indoor arena sited on and near the shore of Lake Michigan, about south of downtown Chicago, Illinois, United States. McCorm ...

in Chicago. He was sentenced to eight months to home confinement because of his age and health. Swanson died at his home in

Homer Glen, Illinois Homer Glen is a village, located southwest of downtown Chicago, in Homer Township, Will County, Illinois. It is a southwest suburb of Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 24,543. The village was incorporated on April 17, 2001. The ...

.Illinois Blue Book 1969-1970
' Biographical Sketch of Arthur R. Swanson, pg. 168-169

Notes

1926 births 2010 deaths Businesspeople from Chicago Politicians from Chicago Military personnel from Illinois Republican Party Illinois state senators Illinois politicians convicted of crimes 20th-century American businesspeople United States Army personnel of World War II {{Illinois-politician-stub