Harris W. Fawell Papers (Naperville)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-004

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records in the collection document Harris W. Fawell’s principal activities as a state senator for the 41st district from 1965 to 1975. The first series of correspondence files concerns Fawell’s involvement with civic, intergovernmental, and professional organizations, recommendations for the legislative internship program, requests for information from state legislators, and local constituents regarding public policy issues. The subject files contain information on various Illinois councils and commissions and include incomplete sets of minutes of meetings, correspondence, and memoranda between Senator Fawell, the commissions, and his constituents. Arranged alphabetically, files are included for these groups: Office of Collective Bargaining; Illinois Commission on Children; Illinois Department of Mental Health; Illinois Fuel Allocation Office; Illinois Association for Retarded Citizens; Illinois Department of Revenue. Legislative files comprise the third and most extensive series in the collection. Arranged alphabetically by subject within each biennium, the files detail specific legislative programs concerning the government and general welfare of the state from 1965 to 1975. Types of records found in the files include copies of original House and Senate bills, resolutions and amendments sponsored by Fawell. The records concern subjects such as medical care for the disabled, mental health funds, unemployment compensation, pensions, law enforcement, branch banking, highway planning, and administration of the state government.

Dates

created: 1963-1977
Other: Date acquired: 10/16/1980

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Harris W. Fawell was born on March 25, 1929 and later attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. After graduating from Kent College of Law, Chicago, in 1952, Fawell became a practicing attorney in partnership under the firm name of Fawell and Larson, Naperville. Fawell also served as assistant state’s attorney, DuPage County from 1953 to 1957. In 1962, Fawell was elected state senator for the 41st District in Illinois and served in that capacity for four terms. As a member of the legislature Fawell served on several permanent and temporary boards and commissions. Fawell worked with the Legislative Reference Bureau preparing bills, resolutions and amendments. In addition to preparing legislation requested by assemblymen, Fawell worked on the Illinois Commission on Children, the Organizational Study of the General Assembly, and the Illinois State Senate Standing Committees on Education, Judiciary, and Public Health, and Public Welfare, and Corrections. Aside from his legislative duties Fawell’s commitments extended into other areas concerned with the government and the general welfare of the state. His professional activities included: memberships with the Illinois and American Bar Association, American Judicature Society, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association; President of the DuPage County Family Service Associations; board member of the Chicago Association for the Retarded. Fawell’s contributions as a statesman and his services in the fields of public health and social welfare won him acclaim from legislators, public officials, and lobbyists of both parties.

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