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Dennis Hastert - Legislators Project
Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House from 1999 to 2007, began his political career in the Illinois state legislature in 1981. Hastert began his adult life as a teacher at Yorkville high school, and gaining notoriety not by paying his dues in local politics, but due to his very successful stint as a high school wrestling coach. In 1980 he was the surprise victor in an election for the Illinois House. Once in Springfield, he quickly earned the reputation as a legislator who could get things done. This interview concludes with Hastert' discussing his 1986 campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. The interview is part of a joint venture with the U.S. House of Representatives historians.
Speaker Hastert was sentenced to fifteen months in federal prison in April, 2016 for incidents of child molestation that occurred in the 1970s while Hastert was a high school wrestling coach at Yorkville, Illinois.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt 01
The Pit
Feature Excerpt 02
Madigan Eating an Apple
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Growing up in small town Illinois, and Hastert’s teaching and coaching career
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Election to the IL legislature in 1980, and early years in IL House
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Hastert’s years in IL legislature and 1986 election to U.S. Congress
Photos
Caption:
Dennis Hastert while he served in the Illinois state legislature.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Unknown
Caption:
Twenty year old Dennis Hastert was a proud member of the Wheaton College wrestling team circa 1962. Hastert wrestled as a heavyweight.
Where:
Wheaton College
When:
Circa 1962
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
While a wrestling coach at Yorkville High School, Coach Hastert led his team to the state tournament every year from 1974 through 1980, the year he became a state legislator.
Where:
Yorkville High School
When:
1974-1980
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Hastert talking to fellow legislator Harry ‘Babe’ Woodyard on the House floor circa 1984. Woodyard represented a district from east central Illinois.
Where:
House floor, Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1984
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Representatives Hastert and Suzanne Deuchler confer on the floor of the Illinois House, circa 1984.
Where:
Illinois House, Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1984
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Representative Hastert makes his point during a House session circa 1984.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1984
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Dennis Hastert at work in Illinois House of Representatives chamber circa 1984.
Where:
Illinois House of Representatives, Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1984
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
The Hastert family in Dennis’ Springfield legislative office in 1985. In front are Josh, Jean and Ethan.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1985
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
In November, 1985 Yorkville High School students and administrators honored Coach Hastert with this certificate, recognizing his success as a wrestling coach, highlighted by his 1976 championship year.
Where:
Yorkville High School
When:
November, 1985
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Gene Rennels, mayor of West Chicago, Dennis Hastert, Governor Jim Thompson, and Don Hensel are addressing the issue of thorium removal in West Chicago shortly before Hastert went from the Illinois legislature to the U.S. Congress in 1987.
Where:
West Chicago, Illinois
When:
1987
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
The Hastert family’s 1988 Christmas, taken in the backyard of their home in rural Yorkville, Illinois.
Where:
Yorkville, Illinois
When:
1988
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Handprint at Oswego High School which Hastert made circa 2007/08 in recognition of his achievement, becoming the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Where:
Oswego High School
When:
Circa 2007/08
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
One of the Hastert family’s Christmas cards during his years in the Illinois State Legislature. Family photos with a distinctive backdrop would soon become a Christmas tradition for the family.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo