Presiding Elder Gary McCants has spent his life in two seemingly different and yet compatible worlds. From 1975 to 2012 he worked in the Illinois legislature, first for the House Democrats, and from 1988 as a lobbyist for the Illinois Banker's Association. But in 1979 he began a spiritual journey that eventually led to him becoming an African Methodist Episcopal minister, accepting his own church in Kewanee, Illinois in 1985, even while continuing to work in the legislature. He found that his ministry in the legislature (informal though it was) was just as important as the several congregations he had ministered to since first answering the call in the late 1970s. One of those he ministered to was then Senator Barack Obama.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Receiving a call to lobby for the State Capital prayer room.
Abstract
Interview Session 1
Years as an IL House legislative staffer through 1990 and ERA fight
Interview Session 2
Lobbyist for IL Bankers Assn during housing crisis and memories of Obama
Interview Session 3
Reflections of a lobbyist on legislative leaders and closing comments
You can listen to Reverend McCants' entire interview in our People of Faith collection.
Photos
Caption
All the Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church laid hands upon Unites States Senator Barack Obama and prayed for him following his address at a session of the AME Church General.
Where:
St. Louis, Missouri
When:
July 2008
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
This compilation of photos was used during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. The photos in the compilation were taken by Lee Milner, photographer for the Illinois House.
Where:
Illinois
When:
2008
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
President Obama was the keynote speaker at the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial dinner at Springfield’s Crown Plaza on February 12, 2009. Elder McCants reminded President Obama that he still prayed for him following their days in the Illinois legislature.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
February 12, 2009.
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Speaker of the House Mike Madigan met with Gary McCants during one of Gary’s visits to the Speaker’s office, and later was happy to sign it as well.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
circa 2012
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Presiding Elder Gary McCants, far left, and Bishop John Franklin White with other presiding elders and pastors of the AME Church with members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Bishop White gave the invocation in the Senate on April 18, 2018.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 18, 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo.
Caption
Pictured is the delegation of AME church members, pastors and Presiding Elders along with Bishop White following a private meeting with Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs in his office.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 18, 2018
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Several members of the AME Church delegation met with Illinois House of Representatives Minority Leader Jim Durkin in his office on the group’s Lobby Day. Presiding Elder McCants stands with his hands on a chair.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 27, 2019
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Members of the AME Church delegation met with Illinois Senate President John Cullerton in his office during their Lobby Day. Presiding Elder McCants is in the center wearing a lighter blue suit.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 27, 2019
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.