Jerry Stermer had a long and distinguished career as an advocate for Illinois's children, first while working for the Department of Children and Family Services, and then as the President of Voices for Illinois Children from 1987 to 2009. In 2009 he became Governor Pat Quinn's first Chief of Staff (following Gov. Blagojevich's impeachment), and by 2011 he was working as Quinn's budget director during the years of the Great Recession. Stermer talks extensively about his years with Gov. Quinn, and the governors many challenges and accomplishments.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Civil Unions brought to debate
Abstract
Interview Session 1 - Audio
Early life through college and seminary experiences
Interview Session 2 - Audio
Events of 1968, Peace corps years and experiences with Gov. Walker
Interview Session 3 - Audio
Tenure at Voices for Illinois Children and COS for Quinn administration
Interview Session 4 - Audio
Budget Director for Quinn administration and Quinn’s accomplishments
Photos
Caption:
This family from the new village of San Carlos del Zamora, province of Morona Santiago in Ecuador, were members of a cooperative that had migrated from a mountainous region where they were landlocked to “colonize” new land in the eastern Ecuador.
Where:
San Carlos del Zamora, Morona Santiago, Ecuador
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Jerry and Nancy Stermer with their children Rachel and Daniel in a family portrait.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2005
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Jerry Stermer enjoyed a lighter moment with his boss, Governor Quinn and President Barack Obama during their visit to the White House in the fall of 2009. Presidential aides David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett and Monica Walker were also present.
Where:
Washington, D.C.
When:
2009
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Stermer, then interim director of the Office of Management and Budget, testified before the Illinois Senate Executive Committee in May 2013.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
2013
Ownership:
A Journal Standard photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption:
Judge Tony Evans swore in Jerry Stermer as Illinois Comptroller in December 2014. Stermer resigned in January to make way for incoming Governor Bruce Rauner’s appointee.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
2014
Ownership:
A Journal Standard photo. May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption:
Jerry Stermer was Gov. Quinn’s budget director when Quinn appointed him to become the state’s new Comptroller after Judy Baar Topinka’s untimely death in December 2014.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2014
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.