Gregory Baise started as a volunteer for Jim Thompson in 1976, when Baise was just out of college and Thompson was running for Governor for the first time. Over the next fourteen years Baise served in the Thompson administration in a variety of capacities, first as the Governor's travel aid until 1979, then as his scheduler, and in 1981 as Thompson's Personnel Director, responsible for patronage hiring. In 1984 he managed Ronald Reagan's campaign in Illinois, and in 1985 Thompson appointed him as Director of the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Thompson and the Showhorse
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
1976 Thompson campaign and governor's travel aid
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Gov. Thompson’ scheduler, and later as Personnel Director
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Years as Director of Dept. of Transportation
Photos
Caption
A standard publicity photo, circa mid 2000s, used for Greg Baise by the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association, where Baise served for many years as the Chief Executive Officer.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa mid 2000s
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
An August, 1989 dedication of taken when Baise served as the Secretary of Transportation. Also included in the photo op are Governor Jim Thompson, Representatives Jeff Mayes, Tom Ryder and Phil Bradshaw, plus Tom Oakley.
Where:
Interstate I-72, Illinois
When:
August, 1989
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Unknown