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Joan Walters - Governor Jim Edgar Project
All it took was a little encouragement from a college professor to ignite a highly successful career in Illinois government for Joan Walters. After working on state government reorganization, she joined Governor Jim Thompson's transition team and later as a legislative liaison. In 1981, she was selected by then Secretary of State Jim Edgar to be his Chief of Staff, serving in this capacity until 1986. In 1991 she became Governor Edgar's Budget Director at a time when the state struggled to fill a $1 billion deficit. After succeeding in that, she later became the Director of Public Aid.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Walter’s early life thru service as Sec. of State Jim Edgar’s COS
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Walter’s work as Governor Edgar’s Budget Director, 1991-97
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Walter’s work in reorg of DHS
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Award of Merit to Joan E. Schilf from School District No. 144, County of Cook, State of Illinois, for 6 years as a member of the Board of Education from April 10, 1971 through April 9, 1977.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Photo of Joan Walters and Governor-elect Jim Thompson.
Where:
Chicago, IL
When:
December, 1978
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Joan Walters at a press conference announcing her appointment as the Assistant Secretary of State. Seated are Frank A. Cellini, Terry A. Scrogum and Philip S. Howe, also joining the Secretary of State staff. Photo Springfield State Journal-Register.
Where:
Unknown
When:
January, 1981
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Joan and newly appointed Secretary of State Jim Edgar in Springfield, at a press conference where he introduced his key staff (caption was added as a joke by her Secretary of State staff).
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
January 6, 1981
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Photo of Joan and newly appointed Secretary of State Jim Edgar at same occasion (caption added by my staff).
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Black and white photo of Joan Walters (close-up) with the caption of 'Well, it's in God's hands now and I hope She's listening
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
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Caption
Digital scan of the Southern Illinoisan newspaper clipping dated January 7, 1981; Volume 92 - - No. 224 -25c a copy. Title of the paper is: 'Top-Ranked Woman in State Government is Divorcee, Former Nunnery Student.'
Where:
Unknown
When:
January 7, 1981
Ownership:
Source citation is provided
Caption
Photo of Secretary of State Jim Edgar and Joan reviewing Secretary of State Police in Springfield with Chief Dave Watson (now deceased).
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
between 1981 and 1984
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Assistant Secretary of State Joan Walters presented awards at the Illinois State Fair during Edgar's first term as Secretary of State.
Where:
Illinois State Fair
When:
circa 1982-83
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Group photo of Secretary of State Jim Edgar's staff at a holiday party in his office.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
1983
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor-elect Jim Edgar flanked by Sally Jackson (left), appointed his Chief of Government Operations, and Joan Walters (right), appointed his director of the Bureau of the Budget.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
December, 1990
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Joan Walters (third from right) with Sally Jackson, Chief of Government Operations for Governor Jim Edgar (farthest right) at a 'Women in Government' conference in Rhode Island.
Where:
Rhode Island
When:
1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Jim Edgar
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Budget Director Joan Walters goofing around with Bureau analyst Dan Callahan on his last day at the Bureau of the Budget.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
November, 1991
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Jim Edgar, Legislative Director Mark Boozell and Bureau of the Budget Director Joan Walters in the Governor's Office.
Where:
Governor's Office, Springfield, Illinois
When:
July 1, 1992
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Budget Director Joan Walters making a budget presentation at a legislative briefing.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Budget Director Joan Walters with Brenda Edgar at the Executive Mansion. Uncertain of date.
Where:
Executive Mansion, Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
From left: Felicia Norwood, Assistant to the Governor for Human Services; Carol Dew Jones; Budget Director Joan Walters; and Tom Jones at a Springfield based event.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
House Minority Leader Lee Daniels; Felicia Norwood, Assistant to the Governor for Human Services, Budget Director Joan Walters, unknown, and Sally Jackson, Chief of Government Operations, during Edgar's administration.
Where:
Chicago, IL
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governors State University President Paula Wolff pointing to plaque at the Grand Opening of the campus's Center for Arts and Technology.
Where:
Governors State University Center for Arts and Technology
When:
December 2, 1995
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Gov Jim Edgar with senior staff. Seat, l-r: Bill Roberts, Joe Khayyat, Deno Perdiou, Andy Foster, Gene Reineke, Gov Edgar, Joan Walters, Mike Lawrence, Mike McCormick. Stand, l-r: Janis Cellini, Allen Grosboll, Steve Schnorf, Tom Faulkner, Howard Peters.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
April 15, 1996
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Jim Edgar's 50th birthday celebration at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Budget Director Joan Walters sings Happy Birthday dressed as Marilyn Monroe.
Where:
Illinois State Fairgrounds
When:
July 22, 1996
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Marilyn Monroe, aka Budget Director Joan Walters, wished happy birthday to Governor Edgar.
Where:
Illinois State Fairgrounds
When:
July 22, 1996
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Edgar's press conference announcing Joan Walters as Director of the Department of Public Aid.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
December 4, 1997
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Jim Edgar with newly appointed Public Aid Director Joan Walters (right) and her daughter, Jeanne Kitchens (left).
Where:
Unknown
When:
December 4, 1997
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Governor Jim Edgar presenting a plaque to Budget Director Joan Walters in recognition of her work on the Governor's Task Force on Human Services Reform.
Where:
Springfield, IL
When:
June 25, 1997
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.