Downers Grove in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lottie Holman O’Neill

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

1. Lottie Holman O'Neill Marker

Inscription. First woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly

"Not until our own time was the phrase 'We the People' changed to include women."
-First Inaugural Address
January 4, 1923
Lottie Holman O'Neill was born on November 17, 1878, in Barry, Pike County, Illinois. She moved to Downers Grove, DuPage County Illinois in 1908, two years after her wedding to William Joseph O'Neill. The O'Neills had two children, Elmer and William Jr.

Interested in politics and a supporter of women's suffrage, Lottie campaigned for and won her first term in the Illinois House of Representatives in 1922, just two years after the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote. Considered a conservative Republican, Mrs. O'Neill was an ardent supporter of the rights of women and children, and a proponent of prohibition. Her first bill provided state funding to schools to set up classes for physically disabled children, and her most famous legislation established the eight-hour workday for women.

Mrs. O'Neill served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1923 until 1931 and again from 1933 to 1951. In 1930 she

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had two unsuccessful campaigns, one in the state Republican primary for Illinois Senate, and one as an independent candidate for the United States Senate backed by the Anti-Saloon League. Mrs. O'Neill won her second bid for the Illinois Senate, serving from 1951 until her retirement in 1963. Lottie O'Neill served thirty-eight years in the Illinois General Assembly, setting a longevity record for women. Mrs. O'Neill died in her Downers Grove home on February 17, 1967.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is November 17, 1878.

Location. 41° 47.279′ N, 88° 2.003′ W. Marker is in Downers Grove, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Glenview Avenue near Howard Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is just behind Lottie O'Neill's gravestone at Oak Crest Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Downers Grove IL 60515, 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,

Lottie Holman O'Neill marker and gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

2. Lottie Holman O'Neill marker and gravesite

Lottie O'Neill's gravestone is the center one; her husband William is to her right.

it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); Monarch Habitat (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. Bernard of Clairvaux (approx. one mile away); Welcome to Belmont Prairie (approx. 1.1 miles away); An Illinois Nature Preserve (approx. 1.1 miles away); Belmont Prairie (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Downers Grove.

More about this marker. Oak Crest and the neighboring Oak Hill Cemetery are located outside the boundaries of the village of Downers Grove and are operated by Downers Grove Township. A fence between the two cemeteries that was not far from O'Neill's grave appears to have been removed sometime in the 2010s and they are now essentially

Oak Crest Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, April 12, 2025

3. Oak Crest Cemetery

The view of Lottie O'Neill marker is blocked in this photograph by the pine tree. A 2022 war memorial erected by an American Legion post is on the right side.

operated as one.

Regarding Lottie Holman O’Neill. O'Neill is the namesake of an elementary school in Downers Grove. She is also honored with a statue at the Illinois State Capitol.

Also see . . . Downers Grove Historical Society: Lottie Holman O'Neill.

Excerpt: "On January 3, 1923, Lottie took her seat in Springfield, escorted by 1000 women who took a special train from Union Station for the event. When Lottie came to the capitol a bathroom had to be built as she was the first and only woman serving. They called it Lottie’s Potty."

(Submitted on April 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.