David Vaught grew up in southern Illinois and attended West Point, graduating in 1969, but not before he was involved in a major controversy over mandatory chapel. In 1971 he became involved in the gubernatorial campaign for newcomer Dan Walker, who won in 1972. It was during that campaign that he met Pat Quinn, who also was working on Walker's campaign. In the early 1990s Vaught worked for State Treasurer Quinn, and when Quinn became governor in January 2009 following the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Vaught became Quinn's budget director. He played a key role in passing Tier 2 pension reform and an income tax increase.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Remembering first meeting Pat Quinn
Abstract
Interview Session 1 - Audio
Early life, West Point cadet experiences and challenge over mandatory chapel
Interview Session 2 - Audio
Early Army career, conclusion of chapel challenge & Dan Walker campaign
Interview Session 3 - Audio
Gov. Walker administration, law practice in 1980s and Quinn as treasurer
Interview Session 4 - Audio
Experiences with Quinn from mid-1990s thru Quinn’s first year as governor
Interview Session 5 - Audio
Experiences in Quinn administration as the budget director
Photos
Caption:
Dave Vaught wears his West Point uniform while at the Evansville, Indiana airport in 1966. His girlfriend at the time, Alice Chapman, often dropped him off and picked him up at the airport.
Where:
Evansville, Indiana
When:
1966
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
June Week at West Point caps a cadet’s four years at the Academy. David was walking punishment tours that day, but still made graduation dinner in the mess hall. With him were his roommate, Dennis Moen, Dennis’ future wife Nancy and Dave’s sister Dixie.
Where:
West Point, New York
When:
1969
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
This is a group of key Dan Walker campaign workers during his 1972 campaign. Walker is in the center, wearing the tie. His daughter Kathy is three to the right in the photo, and on the far right is Dave Vaught. Kathy and David were engaged by that time.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1972
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Dave grew up on a farm and still kept his connection with the soil. Here he is on the family farm in White County, Illinois circa 2007.
Where:
White County, Illinois
When:
Circa 2007
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
David Vaught during one of his many press conferences as Director of GOMB, explaining something about the budget, circa 2011.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2011
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Several Quinn staffers who were Cardinals fans convinced Gov. Quinn to attend game six of the 2011 World Series, which ended dramatically with a Cardinals win. Gary Hannig, Vaught and Mark Miller also made the game.
Where:
St. Louis, MO
When:
2011
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Dave Vaught joined Steve McCurdy, who served as Assistant Director of the Department of Central Management Services, at a St. Louis Cardinals game.
Where:
St. Louis, MO
When:
2011
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Dave Vaught presented a Governor’s Proclamation declaring it Josh Turner Day at the DuQuoin State Fair in 2011. Kelly Kraft, a former news anchor and Dave’s press secretary at the Office of Budget and Management, helps with the presentation.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
2011
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
This group traveled to Brazil with Gov. Quinn in 2012 when Vaught (on the left) served as Dir. of the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Pictured with Gov. Quinn on the right of the photo is Adam Pollet and Jack Lavin, former Director of DECO.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2012
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Vaught served as Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity when this photo was taken while he attended an energy exhibit at the Illinois State Fair.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
2012
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
A portrait of David Vaught during the time he served with the Quinn administration as the Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in 2012.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2012
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption:
Dave Vaught joined Gov. Quinn and others during a drought press conference in a corn field near Waltonville, Illinois, circa 2012 when Vaught worked at DCEO.
Where:
Waltonville, Illinois
When:
2012
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
A photo of Governor Quinn during his trade mission to Brazil in 2012.
Where:
Brazil
When:
2012
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Governor Quinn and Dave Vaught on the campaign trail in 2014, traveling the state in Vaught’s red pickup truck, as they often did.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2014
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Another red pickup shot from the 2014 campaign trail. Governor Quinn was well known for keeping track of things by using stacks of note pages.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2014
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Governor Quinn gives a thumbs up sign while sitting in Dave Vaught’s red pickup when they traveled the state during the 2014 gubernatorial campaign.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2014
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
The Vaught family gathered for this picture at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, circa 2016. Dave’s sister Dixie is next to him, along with Dave’s four children, spouses and grandchildren.
Where:
St. Louis, MO
When:
2016
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
The Vaughts visited Door County, Wisconsin in 2018 when this photo was taken. From the left is son Chris and his wife Ngone, then cousin Jenny, Julie, then David with his daughter Julie on the right, next to Jenny’s husband Dean and then Kathleen Vaught.
Where:
Door County, Wisconsin
When:
2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
Dave Vaught at one of the many press conferences he held as Director of GOMB, explaining something about the budget.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption:
The toughest part of Vaught’s job as Dir. of GOMB was having to make cuts in programs. Michelle Saddler of the Dept. of Human Services headed one of the agencies where cuts were made in order to balance the budget. Quinn made the toughest calls.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo