J. Michael Houston
Encyclopedia
J. Michael "Mike" Houston (born 1944), is the current Mayor of Springfield, Illinois. He previously served as Springfield's mayor from 1979 to 1987.
, where his father was stationed, in the U.S. Navy. After returning to Springfield
following World War II
, Houston attended Cathedral Grade School and Griffin High School. After one year at Springfield Junior College, Houston transferred to Illinois State University
, where he graduated with a B.S. in business administration. He later completed an M.B.A. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
.
Following undergraduate school, Houston worked for Higbee's
in Cleveland, Ohio, and then Cole National Corporation, where he ultimately became the general manager. During this time, he developed a desire to have his own business. While visiting his family back in Springfield, during Christmastime in 1970, he found an ad for a chain link fence business, up for sale, which he decided to purchase.
and State Representative J. David Jones, both of whom were also past presidents of SJC.
During the 1975 Springfield municipal elections, Houston began considering a future run for Mayor of Springfield. After serving in a leadership position within the local Chamber of Commerce
, and being dissatisfied in the way city government was operating, especially insofar as economic development
, Houston declared his candidacy for Mayor, in 1978. After a 5-candidate nonpartisan primary, in February 1979, Houston defeated Frank Madonia in the April general election, to be elected Mayor. He was re-elected in 1983, finishing first, out of five candidates, in the primary, and then defeating James Dunham in the general municipal election.
In 1986, Houston sought and received the Republican
nomination for Treasurer of Illinois, but lost the general election to Democrat
Jerry Cosentino. The following year, Houston was defeated in his mayoral reelection bid.
Houston also presently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Western Illinois University
, and also holds the same position at St. John's Hospital. He was also the last Chairman of the Board
of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and is currently on the Board of Directors
of the Downtown Springfield, Inc. Heritage Foundation, the Quantum Growth Partnership, and the Abraham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts of America
.
maintained by faculty members at Western Illinois University
, questioned whether Houston's recent election as mayor of Springfield creates a conflict of interest
with his duties as Chairman of the university's Board of Trustees since, as mayor, he will be promoting the interests of competing University of Illinois at Springfield
. As of the June 1, 2011 WIU Board of Trustees meeting, there has been no comment from the Board, the University, or Houston on the matter.
Background
The Houston family originally settled in settled in Sangamon County in 1824. Houston was born in 1944, in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, where his father was stationed, in the U.S. Navy. After returning to Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Houston attended Cathedral Grade School and Griffin High School. After one year at Springfield Junior College, Houston transferred to Illinois State University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
, where he graduated with a B.S. in business administration. He later completed an M.B.A. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
.
Following undergraduate school, Houston worked for Higbee's
Higbee's
Higbee's was a department store founded 1860 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1992, Higbee's stores were re-branded as part of Dillard's.-History:Higbee's was founded by Edwin Converse Higbee and John G. Hower on September 10, 1860 as Higbee & Hower Dry Goods. The first day of business saw $100 in sales. ...
in Cleveland, Ohio, and then Cole National Corporation, where he ultimately became the general manager. During this time, he developed a desire to have his own business. While visiting his family back in Springfield, during Christmastime in 1970, he found an ad for a chain link fence business, up for sale, which he decided to purchase.
Political activities
In addition to running his business, Houston also served as President of Springfield JayCees (SJC). This was also when he became involved first-hand, with local politics and elections, while advocating for education-related referenda. One of his colleagues from SJC then decided to run for School Board, and asked Houston to run his campaign, which fell narrowly short of victory. Houston subsequently assisted with the campaigns of State Senator John DavidsonJohn Davidson
John Davidson may refer to:* John Andrew Davidson , Canadian politician* John Davidson , American actor* John Davidson , Australian admiral...
and State Representative J. David Jones, both of whom were also past presidents of SJC.
During the 1975 Springfield municipal elections, Houston began considering a future run for Mayor of Springfield. After serving in a leadership position within the local Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, and being dissatisfied in the way city government was operating, especially insofar as economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, Houston declared his candidacy for Mayor, in 1978. After a 5-candidate nonpartisan primary, in February 1979, Houston defeated Frank Madonia in the April general election, to be elected Mayor. He was re-elected in 1983, finishing first, out of five candidates, in the primary, and then defeating James Dunham in the general municipal election.
In 1986, Houston sought and received the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination for Treasurer of Illinois, but lost the general election to Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Jerry Cosentino. The following year, Houston was defeated in his mayoral reelection bid.
Post-mayoral career
After leaving the office of mayor, Houston entered the banking business, joining LaSalle National Bank, to serve as a consultant to some municipalities and governmental bodies, throughout the state. He later joined a subsidiary of Marine Bank in Springfield, subsequently becoming CEO of that subsidiary, and continuing with the bank, after it became Bank One, and then J.P. Morgan Chase. In 2005, Houston became the President and CEO of Town and Country Bank, and continues to serve as the Chairman Emeritus.Houston also presently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
, and also holds the same position at St. John's Hospital. He was also the last Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board
The Chairman of the Board is a seat of office in an organization, especially of corporations.Chairman of the Board may also refer to:*Chairman of the Board , a 1998 film*Chairmen of the Board , a 1970s American soul music group...
of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and is currently on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the Downtown Springfield, Inc. Heritage Foundation, the Quantum Growth Partnership, and the Abraham Lincoln Council of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
.
Re-election
In November 2010, Houston entered the race for Mayor of Springfield, the office he previously held. He was one of eight candidates seeking that office. In the February 2011 municipal primary, Houston surprised many observers with a strong first-place finish. He went on to win the April 5th general election by a wide margin, against the other three remaining candidates.Conflict of Interest?
"The Dirty Western," a blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
maintained by faculty members at Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
, questioned whether Houston's recent election as mayor of Springfield creates a conflict of interest
Conflict of interest
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could possibly corrupt the motivation for an act in the other....
with his duties as Chairman of the university's Board of Trustees since, as mayor, he will be promoting the interests of competing University of Illinois at Springfield
University of Illinois at Springfield
The University of Illinois at Springfield is a public university in Springfield, Illinois. The University was established in 1969 as Sangamon State University by the Illinois General Assembly and became a part of the University of Illinois system on July 1, 1995.The University of Illinois at...
. As of the June 1, 2011 WIU Board of Trustees meeting, there has been no comment from the Board, the University, or Houston on the matter.
External links
- Houston for Mayor. 2011 Official Campaign Site.
- J. Michael Houston (Chair), Springfield, IL; appointed 1997. Board of Trustees - Western Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
. Accessed December 22, 2010. - J. Michael Houston Memoir. Interview of former Mayor J. Michael Houston, by Pam Springer. 2006. (H820. Houston, J. Michael. Interview and memoir. Norris L Brookens Library. Archives/Special Collections. University of Illinois at SpringfieldUniversity of Illinois at SpringfieldThe University of Illinois at Springfield is a public university in Springfield, Illinois. The University was established in 1969 as Sangamon State University by the Illinois General Assembly and became a part of the University of Illinois system on July 1, 1995.The University of Illinois at...
. Accessed December 22, 2010.