Roland Burris

Roland Burris. He is an American attorney and politician who served as a United States Senator from Illinois from 2009 to 2010. A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Barack Obama following his election as President of the United States. Burris previously held several statewide offices in Illinois, including Attorney General and Comptroller, and was the first African American to be elected to multiple such positions in the state's history.

Early life and education

Roland Burris was born in Centralia, Illinois, to a family with a strong emphasis on education and public service. He attended local public schools before enrolling at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1959. Demonstrating early leadership, he was active in student government and became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He then pursued a legal education, graduating with a Juris Doctor from the Howard University School of Law in 1963, an institution renowned for its role in training civil rights attorneys.

Political career

Burris began his career as a bank examiner for the United States Department of the Treasury before entering Illinois state government. In 1973, he was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services by Governor Dan Walker. He launched his electoral career successfully in 1978, winning election as the Comptroller of Illinois, becoming the first African American to win a statewide executive office in Illinois. He was re-elected twice before being elected as the state's Attorney General in 1990, serving one term under Governor Jim Edgar. His tenure was marked by efforts in consumer protection and advocacy. Burris made several unsuccessful bids for higher office, including runs for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1994, 1998, and 2002.

Appointment to the U.S. Senate

Following the 2008 election of then-Senator Barack Obama to the presidency, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was tasked with appointing a successor. Despite federal corruption charges against Blagojevich related to the appointment process, he named Burris to the seat on December 31, 2008. The appointment was initially contested by the Senate Democratic leadership, including Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, who cited the tainted process. After legal proceedings and a review by the Senate Ethics Committee, Burris was seated on January 15, 2009. His brief tenure in the Congress included service on committees such as the Armed Services Committee and he voted for major legislation including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Post-Senate career

Choosing not to run for a full term in 2010, Burris left the Senate in November of that year. He returned to legal practice and consulting in Chicago, joining the law firm of Robert F. Coleman and later founding his own firm. He remained active in civic and political affairs, offering commentary and serving on various boards. In 2016, he was appointed to the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees by Governor Bruce Rauner. Burris has also been involved in alumni activities for Howard University and has received honors from organizations like the Illinois State Bar Association.

Personal life and legacy

Burris has been married and divorced twice, to Berlean Miller and Burlean Young, and has two children. A notable and controversial aspect of his legacy is the tombstone he commissioned for himself in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago, which lists his many political achievements, including his U.S. Senate term, during his lifetime. His appointment to the Senate remains a significant chapter in Illinois political history, intertwined with the scandal surrounding Rod Blagojevich. Despite the circumstances of his appointment, Burris is recognized as a trailblazer who broke racial barriers in Illinois government, paving the way for future African American officials in the state.

Category:1937 births Category:Living people Category:American lawyers Category:Illinois Democrats Category:Attorneys general of Illinois Category:United States senators from Illinois