Obituary: John Edward Porter

The Illinois congressman (1980-2001) represented the 10th congressional district

John Porter died earlier this month. He was 87 years old. He was my state representative, congressman, boss, source, advocate, mentor and friend for 44 years. I wrote about our unique relationship in an exclusive article for an online magazine.

John Porter was the son of a highly respected Cook County, Illinois judge. He was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, near where I grew up, too, and attended Evanston Township High School. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northwestern University as well as University of Michigan Law School. The 10-term congressman, who was elected after some of the nation’s most contentious, expensive and historic elections, became known for his support for government gun control and government-controlled medical and scientific research. He’s also known for supporting Israel’s right to exist, emancipating Jews from Soviet Russia and reasonable fiscal policy. He was appointed to represent the Department of Justice by President Dwight…