Arthur L. Turner (born December 2, 1950) is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 9th District since 1981, and serving as the Deputy Majority Leader. He was a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 2010, but placed second to Scott Lee Cohen. Mr. Cohen relinquished the nomination after controversies involving his personal life became public. On March 27, 2010, the 38-member Democratic State Central Committee, chose Sheila Simon to be the candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois over Turner.

Education

Turner attended St. Mel High School, graduating with honors, and went on to

Illinois State University Illinois State University (ISU) is a public university in Normal, Illinois. Founded in 1857 as Illinois State Normal University, it is the oldest public university in Illinois. The university emphasizes teaching and is recognized as one of th ...

, earned a B.S. in Business Administration, and Lewis University, earning a Master of Science in Social Justice.

Career

After earning his master's degree, Turner worked as an investigator for the

Cook County Cook County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Illinois and the second-most-populous county in the United States, after Los Angeles County, California. More than 40% of all residents of Illinois live within Cook County. As of 20 ...

States' Attorney from 1973 to 1981.

State Representative

In 1985, a federal judge ordered William Carothers, his two sons including Isaac Carothers, and a fourth man to pay $152,000 in damages as a result of a campaign of violence and intimidation against Turner. William Carothers' former assistant, Ozzie Hitchins, challenged incumbent Illinois State Representative Turner in 1982. Hitchins was supported by the then imprisoned William Carothers. Turner aides were threatened with guns and one Turner aide suffering severe injuries to the side of the head, including broken bones. Turner and aides filed a civil lawsuit following their defeat by Hitchins. As a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, Turner is a member of two committees, the Committee of the Whole and Rules. He has also served as the Deputy Majority Leader for eighteen years. As a State Representative, Turner has promoted fair housing legislation. He spearheaded a trust fund to buy and renovate housing to make affordable units available to low-income families. The Fund averages about $18 million per year and helps families statewide. Turner also supported tougher restrictions when deciding whether a repeat domestic violence abuser should be let out on bail.

Personal life

Representative Turner and his wife have two sons and reside in the neighborhood of

North Lawndale, Chicago North Lawndale is one of the 77 community areas of the city of Chicago, Illinois, located on its West Side. The area contains the K-Town Historic District, the Foundation for Homan Square, the Homan Square interrogation facility, and the grea ...

. He was born and raised there, and lives a half a block away from his childhood home.

References

* http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/03/democrats-pick-quinn-running-mate-simon-and-turner-are-finalists.html * Galarza, April. "Community leader Bland takes on Turner in 9th House District," ''

The Gazette (Chicago) Gazette Chicago (formerly the ''Near West Gazette'' and then ''Near West/ South Gazette'') is a monthly newspaper covering the Near West/Tri-Taylor, University Village, West Loop, South Loop, West Haven, Bridgeport/Armour Square, Chinatown, Bronze ...

,'' Nov. 3, 2006.

External links

Rep Art Turner
Official Website
Representative Arthur L. Turner (D) 9th District
at the Illinois General Assembly **By session
98th97th96th95th94th93rdArthur Turner for State Representative
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at Illinois House Democrats {{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Arthur Members of the Illinois House of Representatives 1950 births Living people African-American state legislators in Illinois Illinois State University alumni Politicians from Chicago 21st-century American politicians 21st-century African-American politicians 20th-century African-American people