Kenneth W. Course

Kenneth W. Course
Member of the Illinois Senate
In office
1971–1977
Preceded byAlbert E. Bennett
Succeeded byRichard S. Clewis
Constituency14th district (1971–73)
17th district (1973–77)
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1957–1971
Personal details
Born
Chicago, Illinois
Died1977 (1978)
PartyDemocratic
EducationDePaul University

Kenneth W. Course (died 1977) was an American Democratic politician who served in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate.

Early life and career

Course was born in Chicago. He attended Funston Elementary School, Roosevelt High School, and DePaul University, and received coaching for the Certified Public Accountant examination through LaSalle Extension University.

During World War II, Course served for four years in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division. He saw action in four major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, as a forward observer with airborne artillery. Before his election to the General Assembly, he worked for more than 25 years in the wholesale and retail oil business.

Political career

Course served in the Illinois House during the 70th through 76th General Assemblies. He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1970 and reelected in 1972. While serving in the Senate, he also worked as the manager of Merrill C. Meigs Field. In 1975, he chaired the Senate Revenue Committee and served on the Transportation Committee.

Cement bribery case

Course was prosecuted in connection with a scheme involving legislation to increase the legal weight limit for ready-mix concrete trucks. On June 25, 1976, a federal jury convicted him of conspiracy and mail fraud, as well as bribery. He was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $5,000.

References

  1. ↑ "Metropolitan briefs: Car falls, kills ex Sen. Kenneth Course". Chicago Tribune. September 10, 1977. p. 105 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Kenneth W. Course". Cook County, Illinois Death Index, 1908–1988. Retrieved August 12, 2026 – via Ancestry.com.
  3. 1 2 3 Illinois Office of Secretary of State (1976). Illinois Blue Book, 1975–1976. State of Illinois. p. 104.
  4. ↑ Illinois Office of Secretary of State (1967). Illinois Blue Book, 1965–1966. State of Illinois. p. 211.
  5. ↑ "79th General Assembly, Regular Session, January 22, 1975" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly. January 22, 1975. p. 7.
  6. ↑ "An Interview with Governor Jim Edgar, Volume I (Sessions 1–5)". Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. 2009. p. 169.
  7. ↑ "United States v. Craig, 573 F.2d 455 (7th Cir. 1978)". United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. December 12, 1977 – via Justia.