Terry Link

Terry Link (born March 20, 1947) is an American politician who represented the 30th district in the Illinois Senate from 1997 until his resignation in 2020. The 30th district includes all or part of the municipalities of Beach Park, Buffalo Grove, Green Oaks, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, North Chicago, Riverwoods, Wheeling, Vernon Hills and Waukegan.[1]

Terry Link
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 1997 (1997-Jan) – September 2020 (2020-Sept)
Preceded byDavid N. Barkhausen
Succeeded byAdriane Johnson
Personal details
Born (1947-03-20) March 20, 1947
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceWaukegan, Illinois
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Stout

Link was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Waukegan, Illinois in 2012.[2] In 2020, Link pleaded guilty to tax evasion and resigned from his seat in the Senate.[3] For the same reason, he also resigned from his position as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Lake County.[4]

Early life and education

A lifelong resident of the Waukegan-North Chicago area, Link attended North Chicago Community High School. After graduating, he attended Stout State University (now the University of Wisconsin–Stout).[5]

Career

After college, Link began to pursue his career in business as a partner at Major Industrial Trucking. He later worked for Johnson Controls in their governmental affairs division. He later served in both the Illinois State Treasurer's office and Illinois Secretary of State's office.[6]

In 1992, Link was elected Chairman of the Democratic Party of Lake County by his fellow Democratic precinct committeemen.[4]

Link ran for the Illinois Senate to serve the 30th district in 90th General Assembly. In an upset, Link defeated Thomas Lachner, a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, to succeed retiring Republican David Barkhausen.[7]

As a senator, Link supported legislation to aid those on fixed incomes, to cap large tax increases statewide.[8] He also supported a tax credit to encourage businesses to hire honorably discharged veterans, a consumer protection measure requiring automotive manufacturers to eliminate mercury switches from existing vehicles and served as the lead sponsor on the Wetland Protection Act and Smoke Free Illinois.[8]

In the 97th General Assembly, Link served as the Chairperson of the Gaming Committee and Vice Chairperson of Financial Institutions, Local Government and State Government & Veterans Affairs committees respectively.[9]

Link resigned in September 2020. Local Democratic leaders appointed Adriane Johnson, a Commissioner for the Buffalo Grove Park District, to fill the remainder of his term.[10]

2013 mayoral election

Link ran in the Democratic primary for Waukegan Mayor in 2013. He received endorsements from, among others, the Waukegan Police Benevolent Labor Committee[11] and Lake County Board Commissioner Diane Hewitt.[12] Link came in last place in the primary, behind Waukegan City Clerk Wayne Motley and Alderman Sam Cunningham.

Income tax evasion allegation

In August 2020, Link was charged with one count of income tax evasion. Link later resigned from his position on the Illinois General Assembly Legislative Ethics Commission. A criminal information file asserted that Link had significantly underreported his 2016 income, which included his salary as a state legislator and payment for lobbying work.[13]

Personal life

Link and his wife Susan with whom he has four children and three grandchildren.[5]

References
  1. "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 30" (PDF). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois House of Representatives. May 18, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  2. Lissau, Russell. "State Sen. Terry Link to run for Waukegan mayor". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  3. "Former state Sen. Terry Link pleads guilty to tax evasion charge in federal court - Chicago Tribune".
  4. "Our History in Lake County". Lake County Democratic Central Committee. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  5. "About Terry Link". Terry Link for Mayor. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  6. "Biography". Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  7. Wheeler III, Charles N. "Michael Madigan will be the longest-serving speaker". Illinois Issues. University of Illinois Springfield. 21 (12): 42. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  8. "Legislative Accomplishments". Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus. Archived from the original on 2014-10-25. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  9. "Senator Biography". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  10. DeGrechie, Eric (October 12, 2020). "Johnson Replaces Link, Becomes 1st Black Senator From Lake County". Buffalo Grove Patch. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  11. "Endoresement: Policemen's Benevolent & Protective Association". Terry Link for Mayor. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  12. "Diane Hewitt Endorsement". Terry Link for Mayor. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
  13. Meisner, Jason. "State Sen. Terry Link charged with federal income tax evasion". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-08-14.
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