Ty Fahner began his career in public service as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the early 1970s while Jim Thompson served as the U.S. Attorney for the northern district of Illinois. In 1977, newly elected Governor Thompson selected Fahner to serve as the director of law enforcement until 1979. In 1980 Thompson selected Fahner to serve as attorney general to fill the vacancy caused by Bill Scott’s conviction for tax evasion. He was defeated by democrat Neil Hartigan in the 1982 election, and returned to private practice, working for the law firm Mayer Brown.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Thompson Decides on Governor Run
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Upbringing in 1950s Detroit, and his education during the 1960s
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Working as a prosecutor for U.S. attorney Jim Thompson
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Joining Gov. Thompson’s cabinet as director of law enforcement
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Life in the Thompson administration from 1977 to 1979
Interview Session 05 (Audio)
Serving as the attorney general of Illinois, 1980-Jan 1983
Interview Session 06 (Audio)
Investigating the Chicago Tylenol murders during the 1982 campaign
Photos
Caption
Ty Fahner joined a group of colleagues for a trip in 1973 to Treeline Lodge at Lake Nueltin, Canadian Northwest Territories. From left to right are Charles Kocoras, Matt Lydon, Ty Fahner, Anthony Valukas, Dan Webb and Howard Hoffman.
Where:
Lake Nueltin, Canadian Northwest Territories
When:
1973
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Ty Fahner at work at his desk at Mayer Brown, where he’s worked since 1985 and now serves as a partner with the firm.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
Circa 1985
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo