Dennis J. Collins Papers (DeKalb)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-005

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The materials in the collection partially document three areas of Collins’ professional activities. The collection contains general correspondence concerning Collin’s personal business dealings from 1931 to 1974, correspondence and topical literature related to Collins’ duties as State Representative (1931-1943) and State Senator (1943-1973), and correspondence from Collins’ legal practice with most materials involving specific legal cases. This collection represents a modest portion of Collins’ total professional records. The day-to-day activities of the Illinois State Legislature for some years are especially well documented, while other years are poorly represented or lacking totally.

Dates

created: 1931-1974
Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1973

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to materials in the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

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

Biographical or Historical Information

Dennis J. Collins was born on November 21, 1900, in Gifford, Illinois. His family moved to DeKalb in 1910. He married Gertrude Kellman in 1944 and they had three children. Collins attended NIU and the University of Illinois and studied law at Northwestern. In 1928 he opened a law office in DeKalb and continued his practice until his death in 1974. He owned 480 acres of land in DeKalb County as well as business property in DeKalb.　 Dennis J. Collins served a record forty-two years in the Illinois State Legislature with twelve spent as a Representative and thirty as a Senator. He stepped down in 1973 to a ten-minute standing ovation from his colleagues. A conservative Republican, Collins was a long-term chairman of the Illinois Agriculture Committee in both the House and Senate and was chairman of the Municipalities Committee for twelve years. He championed veteran’s legislation and benefits as well as better pensions for the aged and infirm. He introduced much of the legislation furthering the welfare of Northern Illinois University (NIU), but in the late nineteen sixties became a leading opponent of campus protests and student demonstrations. As a state senator Collins sponsored and was instrumental in the passing of tollway legislation. One of his last achievements was the establishment of Shabbona State Park.

Note written by

Extent

16.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The researcher should be aware that the legislative correspondence prior to 1953 is arranged chronologically, the year 1953 is ordered by place of origin, and later materials are filed by topic and by the House Bill or Senate Bill concerned.

Source of Acquisition

Dennis J. Collins

Method of Acquisition

The Collins Collection came to Regional History Collections of the Northern Illinois University in late 1974 following Senator Collins’ death in September. The collection was donated to the University by Senator Collins in 1973 prior to his death. University Archivist J. Joseph Bauxar transferred the collections to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center in June 1978.