Otto Kerner

Otto Kerner, Jr. (August 15, 1908 -- May 9, 1976) was Democrat Governor of Illinois from 1961-68. He is best known for chairing the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (the Kerner Commission).

Related Topics:
August 15 - 1908 - May 9 - 1976 - Democrat - Governor - Illinois - Kerner Commission

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Otto Kerner, Jr., was born in Chicago on 15 August 1908, son of Otto Kerner (1884--1952). After graduating from Brown University in 1930, he attended Trinity College at Cambridge University in England from 1930-31. In 1934 he received a law degree from Northwestern University in Chicago and was admitted to the Illinois bar. On 20 October 1934, he married Helena Cermak, daughter of the late Anton Cermak, Mayor of Chicago, who was shot and mortally wounded in Miami in 1933 by Giuseppe Zangara in what may have been an assassination attempt against president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Related Topics:
15 August - 1908 - Brown University - Trinity College - Cambridge University - England - Northwestern University - 20 October - 1934 - Anton Cermak - Chicago - Miami - Giuseppe Zangara - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Kerner joined the 33rd Division of the Illinois National Guard in 1934. In 1942, he entered active duty in World War II, serving as a field artillery officer in the 9th Infantry Division of the United States Army in North Africa and Italy and in 32nd Infantry Division in the Pacific. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for merit and the Soldier's Medal for rescuing a drowning soldier off the coast of Sicily. He was released from active duty in 1946 as a Lieutenant Colonel and rejoined the Illinois National Guard. In the 33rd Division, Kerner was promoted to the rank of Colonel that same year and to Brigadier General in 1951. He retired in 1954 as a Major General.

Related Topics:
National Guard - World War II - United States Army - Bronze Star Medal - Soldier's Medal - Sicily

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In 1947, Kerner was appointed U.S. District Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, a post which he held until 1954. In 1954, he became a county judge in Cook County, Illinois. In both of those posts, Kerner was an advocate of reform of adoption laws and procedures.

Related Topics:
U.S. District Attorney - Northern District of Illinois - Cook County, Illinois - Adoption

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He defeated incumbent Governor William G. Stratton in the 1960 election and was re-elected in 1964, defeating moderate Republican Charles H. Percy, who was later elected to the U.S. Senate. As governor, Kerner promoted economic development, education, mental health services, and equal access to jobs and housing. He served on the National Governors' Conference Executive Committee from 1967 to 1968, and he chaired the Midwestern Governors' Conference that same year. In July, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders and named Kerner its chairman.

Related Topics:
William G. Stratton - Republican - Charles H. Percy - U.S. Senate - Lyndon B. Johnson

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Kerner resigned as governor on May 20, 1968 to become a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Related Topics:
May 20 - 1968 - United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

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While serving as Governor, Kerner and another official made a gain of over $300,000 in a questionable racetrack stock deal, which prosecutors later characterized as bribery. Following a 1973 trial in which his prosecutor was future Illinois governor James R. Thompson, Kerner was convicted on 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury, and related charges. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison and fined $50,000. He was released from prison early when it was determined that he was suffering from terminal cancer.

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Kerner died in Chicago on May 9, 1976. As a result of his military service, he was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Related Topics:
May 9 - 1976 - Arlington National Cemetery - Arlington, Virginia

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