After many years working in the aerospace industry and NASA, Dr. Robert Mandeville began a second career working in the Illinois Bureau of the Budget, first for Governor Richard Ogilvie in the early 1970s. From 1977 through 1990 Dr. Mandeville served as Governor Jim Thompson's Budget Director, successfully steering the state's budget through the deep recession of the early 1980s, and into the boom years of the later 1980s, when Gov. Thompson launched his ambitious Build Illinois initiative.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Mental health during Ogilvie administration
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
From Truck Farming to NASA: Mandeville’s Youth and Early Career
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Ogilvie’s Budget Bureau and the Deputy Comptroller Years
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
1976 Transition and Thompson Administration Personalities
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Budget Process under Thompson and Life in the Administration
Interview Session 05 (Audio)
Issues: CPS Financial Crisis, State Bond Sales, Pensions, and Taxes
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Bob Mandeville and his dog Zed at the family home in St. Louis County in 1946. Mandeville is 15 years old in this picture.
Where:
St. Louis County
When:
1946
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Frank Szminski, left, and Bob Mandeville in a boxing match at St. Benedict College in Atchison, Kansas in 1949. Mandeville won on a split decision.
Where:
Atchison, Kansas
When:
1949
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The B-29 bomber crew Bob Mandeville was assigned to while serving with the Strategic Air Command poses for a photo at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas in 1953. Mandeville, the Radar Bombardier, is standing at the far left.
Where:
San Antonio, Texas
When:
1953
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The Guided Air Missile (GAM-72) manufactured by the McDonnell Corporation in Hazelwood, MO. Mandeville was assistant project manager on the project in 1957.
Where:
Hazelwood, MO
When:
1957
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.)
Caption
Deputy Comptroller Bob Mandeville in front of the State of Illinois Capitol building, circa 1974.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Springfield, Illinois
Ownership:
Narrators photo
Caption
Bob Mandeville, far left on the bench, and the State of Illinois softball team at Iles Park in Springfield, Illinois, circa 1974.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1974
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Bob Mandeville briefed Governor Thompson in 1976, during a time when Mandeville still worked as the Deputy Comptroller for the state of Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1976
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Mandeville and Governor Jim Thompson reviewing budget material in the Governor’s office before briefing the press, circa 1984.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1984.
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
The presentation of the NGA Award to Bob Mandeville in Hilton Head, South Carolina on August 24, 1986.
Where:
Hilton Head, South Carolina
When:
August 24, 1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Dr. Mandeville and Governor Jim Thompson at Hilton Head, South Carolina in 1986 when Mandeville received the National Governors’ Association “Distinguished Service to State Government” award.
Where:
Hilton Head, South Carolina
When:
1986
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
“How to Balance the Budget” was a song included in the Thompson administration’s annual Christmas skit in Springfield, Illinois. The song, of course, was sung to the tune of Camelot’s “How to Handle a Woman.”
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The “Budget Bureau Blues” was another song included in the annual Christmas skit in Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The final two verses of the “Budget Bureau Blues” song from the annual Christmas skit in Springfield, Illinois.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
“Things to Remember” was another song included in the annual Christmas skit in Springfield, Illinois, 1986.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
A continuation of “Things to Remember” from the annual Christmas skit in Springfield, Illinois, 1986.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1986
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo