Dan Rostenkowski Passes Away at 82

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Aug 11, 2010 8:20PM

Dan Rostenkowski, one of the lions of Illinois politics, passed away today at the age of 82. The burly Pole from the Northwest Side served in Congress for 35 years, from 1959 until 1994, when he was convicted of corruption charges and subsequently lost his seat to an unknown Republican named Michael Flanagan. During his Congressional tenure, especially his 13 years as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rostenkowski was one of the most powerful members of the House, responsible for major reforms in Social Security, welfare reforms, trade legislation and the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Rostenkowski was indicted and eventually convicted of corruption charges stemming from the Congressional post office scandal, a trial prosecuted by now Attorney General Eric Holder.

Along with former 32nd Ward Alderman Terry Gabinski (and later, Ted Matlak), Rostenkowski established a political operation that often used Chicago-style politics to keep constituents in line and not question the local ward organization's motives. The grip was broken initially with Flanagan's defeat of Rostenkowski and finalized with the election of current 32nd ward Alderman Scott Waugespack.

Other obits/Rosty features: Tribune, Sun-Times, Chicago mag, the Reader