Mike Lawrence began his journalistic career in the mid-1960s, spending much of it with the Quad City Times-Democrat while reporting on Illinois' political scene. In 1987 Lawrence went to work as Press Secretary for Secretary of State Jim Edgar, and followed Edgar when he became Governor in 1991. Lawrence resigned in 1997, and moved to Carbondale to work at the Southern Illinois University Public Policy Institute.
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Mike, age 14, catches up on the news in the living room of the family home at 843 Greenleaf Street. Where:
Galesburg, ILWhen:
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Standing at age 11 near the Galesburg grocery store where his family shopped. Where:
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in the 1950sOwnership:
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The 17-year-old editor of his high school newspaper shakes hands with Gov. William G. Stratton, the first of several Illinois governors he interviewed and reported on. Where:
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As a young news editor for the Quad-City Times, he enjoys a moment of relaxation with fellow editor Randy Heuston. Where:
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early 1970sOwnership:
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Then the Springfield bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, he interviews Illinois Gov Jim Thompson after he and other state chief executives had met at the White House. In the background the late Jerome Watson, Washington bureau chief for the Sun-Times.Where:
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1987Ownership:
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Mike, on the right, joins other journalists on the grounds of Sen. Paul Simon's Makanda home on the evening before he officially announced for president.Where:
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spring of 1987Ownership:
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Governor-elect Edgar, Brenda and he are all smiles after a long election night that capped a grueling 1990 campaign. Where:
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1990Ownership:
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Mike and one of his deputies, Gary Mack (on the right), enjoy a light moment during an Edgar interview with CBS' Ed Bradley on the floor of the 1988 Republican National Convention. Where:
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1988Ownership:
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The governor and his pipe-smoking press secretary during a reflective moment in the press office.Where:
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A moment of levity during an Edgar encounter with the media in the governor's Executive Mansion office. Where:
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The television cameras chronicle an Edgar session with the media in his Capitol office. Where:
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Mike concentrates on the questions and answers as the governor and the news corps have an exchange in the State House press room. Where:
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A big moment for Mike (in the background) as Governor Edgar chats at ADM headquarters in Decatur with a man who changed the world, Mikhail Gorbachev, after his ouster as Soviet president. Where:
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Mike, associate director Simon Institute, at Governor Edgar's approval of institute-engineered campaign finance reform legislation. From right, U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, the institute's founding director, the Governor and Ted Sanders, president of SIU.Where:
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Southern Illinois When:
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An honorary doctorate from Knox College, his alma mater, brings a big smile. Where:
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1998Ownership:
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Mike's official photograph while serving as associate director and then director of the Simon Institute. Where:
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1973-1974Ownership:
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