• IdentificationMSCS2014031
  • TitleCalvin Sutker papers MSCS2014031
  • PublisherSpecial Collections
  • RepositorySpecial Collections
  • Physical Description9.0 Linear feet
  • Date1961-2013
  • AbstractCalvin R. Sutker (1923-2013) was active in Illinois politics from 1965 until 2006. Sutker, an attorney, gained political influence in Chicago's north suburbs before entering Illinois and Cook County politics. Sutker began his political career as a village trustee in Skokie. He was elected Democratic committeeman of Niles Township in 1973 and served until 2006. He worked for the Illinois secretary of state and the Cook County Forest Preserve District. In 1985, the voters of the Illinois 56th district elected Sutker to the General Assembly for the first of three terms. In 1994, Sutker won an election to the Cook County Board and remained a commissioner until 2002.

The Calvin R. Sutker Papers consist largely of newspaper clippings, correspondence, and photographs that were donated to the Daley Library by his family. This material is organized into three series. Series One consists of newspaper clippings and scrapbooks. Series Two holds Sutker's correspondence, and Series Three contains photographs and video and audio cassettes. The Daley Library does not have the video equipment to play several of the video cassettes, which are in outdated formats (U-Matic and Beta). Patrons wishing to view these items will have to bear the costs of converting them into digital formating.

The Calvin R. Sutker Papers consist primarily of newspaper clippings, but also includes campaign material, correspondence, photographs, several VHS video cassettes, and material pertaining to Calvin and Phyllis Sutker's participation in voluntary organizations.

Calvin R. Sutker (1923-2013) is most noted for his lengthy stint in Illinois politics, which lasted from 1965 until 2006. Sutker, an attorney, gained political influence in Chicago's north suburbs before entering Illinois and Cook County politics.

Sutker was born in Forest Park, Illinois but his family moved to Chicago, where he completed high school and met his wife, Phyllis. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and saw combat in France, Germany, and Austria. He was among the first Americans to enter the Dachau concentration camp system in April 1945. After the war, he completed a bachelor's degree in 1947 and then a law degree in 1950, both at the University of Chicago. He married in 1946.

Sutker practiced law in Chicago while living in Skokie, Illinois. He ran successfully for Skokie village trustee in 1965 and played a pivotal role in enacting the first fair housing law approved in Illinois the following year. He became Democratic committeeman for Niles Township in 1973, a role he held until 2006. Also in 1973, Sutker left his law practice to work at the Illinois secretary of state's office as chief hearing officer. In 1978, he became the chief attorney for the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Sutker resigned from the Forest Preserve District in 1985 when he was elected state representative for the 56th district in the northern suburbs of Chicago. He served three terms before unsuccessfully running for the office of Cook County clerk. In 1994, Sutker won an election to the Cook County Board, where he served until 2002.

Beyond the political sphere, Sutker served as president of Old Orchard B'nai B'rith, chairman of the March of Dimes of Niles Township, and chairman of the Anti-Defamation League of Metropolitan Chicago.

  • NamesSutker, Calvin R., 1923-2013
  • Subject
    • Chicago Political and Civic Life.
    • Jews--Charities.
    • Legislators.
    • Local elections.
    • Low-income housing.
    • Politics and government.
    • Relations with Israel.
    • Veterans.
    • World War (1939-1945).
  • Geographic Coverage
    • Illinois--Chicago.
    • Illinois--Cook County.
    • United States.