Evanston in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

W. Russell Arrington

1906-1979

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

1. W. Russell Arrington Marker

Inscription. Evanston resident W. Russell Arrington (1906-1979) spent three decades actively contributing to good government in the State of Illinois. In 1944, Republican Arrington was elected by the North Shore townships to a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. He remained in this position until 1954, when he was elected to the Illinois Senate. As a senator, he gained a reputation for major legislative productivity through his memorably aggressive style. It was perhaps for this reason that in 1964 he was elected to the top Senate leadership position of president pro tempore.

During his time of public service, Arrington became known for his involvement in legislation dealing with workers' compensation, election fraud, medical care for the elderly, consumer protection, fair employment practices, state revenue policies, and the criminal code. Even after suffering two heart attacks and a stroke during his time in office, Arrington did not retire from the Senate until 1972.

Throughout his lifetime, Arrington was involved in many activities away from government. After graduating from the University of Illinois Law School,

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he founded the successful law firm of Arrington & Healy. He was a founder of the Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club. His interest in the youth of Illinois led to his leadership in establishing the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, one of his numerous undertakings to improve the social climate and general well-being for Illinoisans. Arrington also is remembered for working tirelessly to strengthen the Republican Party. Here in Evanston, he was instrumental in the passage of legislation authorizing expansion of Northwestern University's campus into Lake Michigan.

Commemorated in 2014 upon the restoration of the Arrington Lakefront Lagoon

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Government & Politics • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 42° 2.762′ N, 87° 40.409′ W. Marker is in Evanston, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Sheridan Road east of Forest Place, on the left when traveling south. The sign is in front of the Arrington Lagoon at Dawes Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

2. W. Russell Arrington Marker

Lake Michigan is in the far background.

address: 1647 Sheridan Road, Evanston IL 60201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Evanston War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Residence of Charles Gates Dawes (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Methodist Church of Evanston (approx. ¼ mile away); Northwestern University's First Building (approx. ¼ mile away); Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (approx. 0.3 miles away); Frances E. Willard (1839-1898) / Woman's Christian Temperance Union (approx. 0.3 miles away); David Thomas Hanson (approx. 0.4 miles away); The First House of Worship in Evanston (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Evanston.

Also see . . .
1. Illinois Times: The Giant Who Changed Illinois Politics.

W. Russell Arrington image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

3. W. Russell Arrington

Close-up of the image of Arrington on the marker.

Excerpt: “William Russell Arrington — best known as Russ — was a familiar face and factor in the Illinois General Assembly from 1945 to 1973. Moreover, he was one of history’s most dominant legislators, with ideas that influenced state government, especially the Senate, for decades. Many of the state’s elected leaders have since honored him as one of the greatest lawmakers of any time — in fact, longtime Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan is quoted thusly: 'No doubt, Senator Arrington is the father of the modern General Assembly.'”

(Submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Evanston dedicates lagoon in honor of W. Russell Arrington. From the Chicago Tribune in June 2015.

Excerpt: "Among W. Russell Arrington’s work was spearheading a landfill expansion of Northwestern University on the Lake Michigan waterfront adjacent to and north of the lagoon."

(Submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Dawes Park, Evanston image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, March 12, 2025

4. Dawes Park, Evanston

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 18, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.