Mike Lawrence began his journalistic career in the mid-1960s, spending much of it with the Quad City Times-Democrat while reporting on Illinois' political scene. In 1987 Lawrence went to work as Press Secretary for Secretary of State Jim Edgar, and followed Edgar when he became Governor in 1991. Lawrence resigned in 1997, and moved to Carbondale to work at the Southern Illinois University Public Policy Institute
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Early years with Sec of State Jim Edgar
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Press Secretary for Edgar's first term
Interview Session 05 (Audio)
Edgar's second administration
Related Materials
See Also
You can find the rest of Mike Lawrence’s interview in the Journalists’ View.
Photos
Caption
Mike, age 14, catches up on the news in the living room of the family home at 843 Greenleaf Street in Galesburg, Illinois.
Where:
Galesburg, IL
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
Standing at age 11 near the Galesburg grocery store where his family shopped in the 1950s.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1950s
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The 17-year-old editor of his high school newspaper shakes hands with Gov. William G. Stratton, the first of several Illinois governors he interviewed and reported on.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
As a young news editor for the Quad-City Times in the early 1970s, he enjoys a moment of relaxation with fellow editor Randy Heuston.
Where:
Unknown
When:
early 1970s
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Then the Springfield bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, he interviews Illinois Gov Jim Thompson after he and other state chief executives had met at the White House. In the background the late Jerome Watson, Washington bureau chief for the Sun-Times.
Where:
Washington D.C.
When:
1987
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mike, on the right, joins other journalists on the grounds of Sen. Paul Simon’s Makanda home in the spring of 1987 on the evening before he officially announced for president.
Where:
Makanda, Illinois
When:
spring of 1987
Ownership:
Unknown
Caption
Governor-elect Edgar, Brenda and he are all smiles after a long election night that capped a grueling 1990 campaign.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1990
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mike and one of his deputies, Gary Mack (on the right), enjoy a light moment during an Edgar interview with CBS’ Ed Bradley on the floor of the 1988 Republican National Convention.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1988
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The governor and his pipe-smoking press secretary during a reflective moment in the press office.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
A moment of levity during an Edgar encounter with the media in the governor's Executive Mansion office.
Where:
governor's Executive Mansion office
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
The television cameras chronicle an Edgar session with the media in his Capitol office.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mike concentrates on the questions and answers as the governor and the news corps have an exchange in the State House press room.
Where:
State House press room
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
A big moment for Mike (in the background) as Governor Edgar chats at ADM headquarters in Decatur with a man who changed the world, Mikhail Gorbachev, after his ouster as Soviet president.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mike, associate director Simon Institute, at Governor Edgar's approval of institute-engineered campaign finance reform legislation. From right, U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, the institute's founding director, the Governor and Ted Sanders, president of SIU.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Governor Edgar and Mike chat during an Edgar visit to southern Illinois after Mike joined the University. “I’m sorry, there isn’t any money in this bill for S.I.U.,” the Governor quipped in signing the photo for Mike.
Where:
Southern Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s Photo
Caption
An honorary doctorate from Knox College, his alma mater, brings a big smile in 1998.
Where:
Knox College
When:
1998
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mike's official photograph while serving as associate director and then director of the Simon Institute.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator's Photo
Caption
Mike Lawrence's official photo from the 1974-1974 Illinois Blue Book.
Where:
Illinois Blue Book, 74-74
When:
1973-1974
Ownership:
Unknown