James D. Nowlan, co-author of Illinois Politics: A Citizen’s Guide to Power, Politics, and Government, answers questions on his new book.
Q: Why did you decide to write this book?
If Illinois were a nation, it would have the world’s 17th largest economy, about the same size, respectively, as Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Turkey. And most of what concerns families most of the time—their children’s education; clean water; college; safe highways; public safety; health care; social services; safe, reliable electricity—are the business of state and local governments. So, it is important that citizens and students understand how its state and local governments work, or don’t work. Thus, a good book about Illinois politics and government is important.
Q: What is the most interesting discovery you made while researching and writing your book?
Illinois should be an economic powerhouse, because in each of the six Rs critical to economic development—roads, rails, runways, rivers, routers, research—Illinois is among the top three states. But Illinois isn’t a powerhouse; the state is limping along. Why? In our book, we discuss why this may be. Read it to find out.
Q: What myths do you hope your book will dispel or what do you hope your book will help readers unlearn?
There is a common myth that Chicago is a drain on the rest of the state. Untrue! Chicago is the heart of the state’s economic engine. And because of the wealth created by Chicago and the suburbs that exist because of Chicago, the rest of Illinois benefits by receiving much more in tax dollars from the state than the rest of Illinois contributes in taxes.
Q: What is your advice to scholars/authors who want to take on a similar project?
People ask me how I write a book, such a daunting project. I say, “You don’t write a book, you write a chapter, indeed just a section of a chapter.” This is less daunting. The segments add up over time, and voila, you have a book.
Q: What do you like to read/watch/or listen to for fun?
I enjoy history, especially ancient Roman history. Now, those senators and tribunes, “they really practiced politics (the pursuit of power and influence).” And there are many lessons to be learned from such history, as people then, at least those with property and wealth, had the same dreams, aspirations and goals as we do. And the Roman Republic and Empire lasted a millennium.
Melissa Mouritsen is a professor of political science at the College of DuPage and the coeditor of Twenty-First Century Chicago.
Kent D. Redfield is emeritus professor of political science at University of Illinois Springfield and the author of Money Counts: How Dollars Dominate Illinois Politics and What We Can Do About It.
James D. Nowlan writes the newspaper column “Understanding Illinois” for the Illinois Press Association. He is the author of Politics, the Starter Kit: How to Succeed in Politics and Government.