The Illinois Governors: Mostly Good and Competent

This updated classic book introduces readers to all of Illinois' chief executives, from Shadrach Bond to Rod Blagojevich, and concludes that they were a cross section of the political ideas and social attitudes of their times. Today, perhaps more than ever, we face questions about the abilities and ethics of our elected officials. We have no crystal balls to guide us. Instead, our state offers lessons from a rich and colorful history punctuated by the life stories of the mostly good and competent governors of Illinois.

Robert Howard is the late newspaperman and historian who first wrote about the governors in 1988. Taylor Pensoneau, a biographer of Illinois politicians, and Peggy Boyer Long, retired executive editor of Illinois Issues magazine, have updated the book to include the newest administrations.