Ann Lousin earned a law degree from the University of Chicago in 1968, and the following year worked as a research assistant for Illinois's Constitutional Convention, a subject that has fascinated her ever since. She has written extensively on the subject, and is regarded as the premier authority on ConCon. In 1970 Lousin was selected to serve first as a staff assistant and later as the parliamentarian in the Illinois House of Representations at a time when W. Robert Blair (Republican) was the Speaker of the House. In 1975, she began a long and distinguished career as professor at the John Marshall Law School. Governor Jim Thompson selected Lousin to chair the Civil Service Commission, a position she held until 1983.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
ERA expected to pass
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early years and 1970 Constitutional Convention
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
IL Con Con on school funding, home rule and redistricting
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
IL Con Con on executive powers, judicial powers and taxing issues
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
1970 IL State Constitution and Cumulative Voting plus other issues
Interview Session 05 (Audio)
Work with House Speaker W. Robert Blair, duties as Parliamentarian
Interview Session 06 (Audio)
Life as a Parliamentarian during Dan Walker Administration
Interview Session 07 (Audio)
Service as chair of Gov. Jim Thompson’s Civil Service Commission
Interview Session 08 (Audio)
Dept. of Corrections Advisory Bd, Redistricting & Bernie Epton campaign
Interview Session 09 (Audio)
Reflections on her work on the IL State Constitution and recent IL politics
"Memories of Dawn Clark Netsch"
Photos
Caption
Ann Lousin, from her Grinnell College yearbook in the early 1960s.
Where:
Grinnell College
When:
Early 1960's
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Ann Lousin in February, 1973 when she worked for IL House Speaker W. Robert Blair as the House Parliamentarian.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
February, 1973
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
IL House Speaker Robert Blair personalized a 1974 photo while Ann Lousin worked as the IL House Parliamentarian. The photo was a discard from the AP file of John Filo, an AP photographer in Springfield at the time.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1974
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Professor Ann Lousin’s faculty photo from the John Marshall Law School web page.
Where:
John Marshall Law School
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Professor Ann Lousin celebrated her 70th birthday in February, 2013 while her niece, Elizabeth Mirza Al-Dajani looked on. John Marshall Law School colleagues and staff helped her celebrate the day.
Where:
John Marshall Law School
When:
February, 2013
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Ann Lousin appeared on the TV news program, Chicago Tonight, hosted by Carol Marin, in December, 2013. The subject for that show was “Is the Pension Reform Deal Unconstitutional?” Joining her on the panel were Mark Rosen and Malcolm Kamin.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
December, 2013
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.