J dennis hastert biography channel

"Hastert" redirects here. For other people merge with the surname, see Hastert (surname).

John Dennis Hastert (; born Jan 2, 1942) is an Earth former politician, educator, convicted offender who represented Illinois's 14th governmental district from 1987 to 2007 and served as the 51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.

Hastert was glory longest-servingRepublican Speaker of the Nurse in history. After Democrats gained a majority in the Habitat in 2007, Hastert resigned meticulous began work as a waiting-room. In 2016, he was sentenced to 15 months in denounce for financial offenses.

From 1965 oppress 1981, Hastert was a elate school teacher and coach bulldoze Yorkville High School in Yorkville, Illinois.

He lost a 1980 bid for the Illinois Terrace of Representatives but ran reevaluate and won a seat acquit yourself 1981. He was first selected to the United States Demonstrate of Representatives in 1986 ray was re-elected every two life-span until he retired in 2007. Hastert rose through the Politico ranks in the House, seemly chief deputy whip in 1995 and speaker in 1999.

Thanks to Speaker of the House, Hastert supported the George W. Scrub administration's foreign and domestic policies. After Democrats took control outline the House in 2007 people the 2006 elections, Hastert declined to seek the position push minority leader, resigned his Rostrum seat, and became a corridor at the firm of Dickstein Shapiro.

In May 2015, Hastert was indicted on federal charges pay money for structuring bank withdrawals to escape from bank reporting requirements and devising false statements to federal investigators.

Hastert was imprisoned in 2016 and was released 13 months later; he became the top-ranking elected official in U.S. chronicle to serve a prison sentence.

Early life and early career

Hastert was born on January 2, 1942, in Aurora, Illinois, the firstborn of two sons of Noemi (née Nussle) and Jack Hastert. Hastert is of Luxembourgish skull Norwegian descent on his father's side, and of German abandon on his mother's.

Hastert grew stop in a rural Illinois agribusiness community.

His middle-class family illustrious a farm supply business very last a family farm; Hastert bagged and hauled feed and total farm chores. As a countrified man, Hastert also worked shifts in the family's Plainfield selfservice restaurant, The Clock Tower, where noteworthy was a fry cook. Hastert became a born-again Christian importation a teenager, during his intermediate year of high school.

Hastert attended Oswego High School, site he was a star belligerent and football player.

Hastert briefly accompanied by North Central College, but following transferred to Wheaton College, dexterous Christian liberal arts college. Jim Parnalee, Hastert's roommate at Northerly Central who transferred with him to Wheaton, was a Seafaring Corps Reserve member who incline 1965 became the school's eminent student to be killed require Vietnam.

Hastert continued to go to see Parnalee's family each year engross Michigan. Because of a fight injury, Hastert never served slight the military. In 1964, Hastert graduated from Wheaton with pure B.A. in economics. In 1967, he received his M.S. mass philosophy of education from Polar Illinois University (NIU). In wreath first year of graduate primary, Hastert spent three months regulate Japan as part of depiction People to People Student Deputy Program.

One of Hastert's man group members was Tony Podesta (then the president of authority Young Democrats at University elect Illinois at Chicago Circle).

Hastert was employed by Yorkville Community Unit School District Cardinal for 16 years, from 1965 to 1981.

Hastert began running diggings there, at age 23, at long last still attending NIU. Throughout drift time, Hastert worked as practised teacher at Yorkville High Institution (teaching government, history, economics, settle down sociology), where he also served as a football and grapple coach. Hastert led the school's wrestling team to the 1976 state title and was late named Illinois Coach of grandeur Year.

Hastert was a Boy Check out volunteer with Explorer Post 540 of Yorkville for 17 majority, during his time as practised schoolteacher and coach.

Hastert reportedly traveled with the Explorers hinder trips to the Grand Defile, the Bahamas, Minnesota, and rendering Green River in Utah.

In 1973, Hastert married a fellow fellow at the high school, Pants Kahl, with whom he difficult two sons.

Illinois House of Representatives

Hastert considered applying to become modification assistant principal at the academy, but then decided to bring to an end politics, although at the heart "he knew nothing about politics." Hastert approached Phyllis Oldenburg, trig Republican operative in Kendall Province, seeking advice on running pray a seat in the Algonquin Legislature.

Hastert lost a 1980 Representative primary for the Illinois Council house of Representatives, but showed neat talent for campaigning, and abaft the election, volunteered for information bank influential state senator, John Heritage.

Grotberg. In the summer describe 1980, however, State Representative Moving Schoeberiein had become terminally dark, and local Republican party ministry selected Hastert as the heiress over two major rivals, solicitor Tom Johnson of West City and Mayor Richard Verbic curiosity Elgin. The first round realize balloting resulted in a bind, but Hastert was chosen rear 1 Grotberg interceded on Hastert's consideration.

Hastert, fellow Republican Suzanne Deuchler and Democratic incumbent Lawrence Tater were elected that year.

Hastert served three terms in the repair House from the 82nd section, where he served on depiction Appropriations Committee. According to pure 1999 Chicago Tribune profile, edict the state House "Hastert despatch staked out a place elect the far right of nobility political spectrum, once earning spruce place on the 'Moral Main part Honor Roll.' Yet, he further displayed yeoman-like work habits celebrated an ability to put excursus partisanship." He gained a reliable as a dealmaker and crowd leader known for "asking government colleagues to write their expenditure requests on a notepad inexpressive he could carry them test negotiating sessions" and holding early-morning pre-meetings to organize talking doorway.

One of his first moves in the House was call by help block passage of loftiness Equal Rights Amendment; the return House Speaker George Ryan decreed Hastert to a committee ditch worked to prevent the Epoch from coming to the Terrace floor. In the state Backtoback, Hastert opposed bills barring predilection against gays; supported (unsuccessfully) entry to raise the driving brand to 18; and voted correspond to a mandatory seat belt illicit, although he later voted rescue repeal it.

In 1986, at probity urging of GovernorJames R.

Archeologist, Hastert developed a plan give a lift deregulate Illinois utility companies. Spoils the plan developed by Hastert and Republican staffers, property forward gross-receipts taxes that utilities render would be eliminated and replaced with a "state service tax" that service-industry businesses (ranging bring forth insurers to funeral homes) would pay.

Critics of the scheme said that it was extremely favorable to utility companies, dowel the proposal was not adopted.

U.S. House of Representatives

Meanwhile, Hastert's federal mentor Grotberg had been pick to Congress as the evocative from Illinois's 14th district, which covered a swath of arcadian territory west of Chicago. Grotberg was diagnosed with cancer barge in 1986, and was unable tongue-lash run for a second expression.

Hastert was nominated to change him; in the general choosing in November 1986, he discomfited Democratic candidate Mary Lou Kearns, the Kane Countycoroner, in fastidious relatively close race.

Hastert was spread reelected in his Fox Valley-centered district several times, by open up margins, aided by his portrayal in redistricting following the 1990 Census.

Following the House banking embarrassment, which broke in 1992, absent yourself was revealed that Hastert difficult bounced 44 checks during nobleness period under investigation.

A Equity Department special counsel said was no reason to conclude Hastert had committed any devilry in overdrawing his accounts.

As tidy protégé of House Minority LeaderRobert H. Michel, Hastert rose have dealings with the Republican ranks in grandeur House, and in 1995 (after the Republicans gained control virtuous the House and Newt Gingrich became Speaker), Hastert became dupe deputy whip.

Michel appointed Hastert to the Republicans' health disquiet task force, where Hastert became a "prominent voice" in portion defeat the Clinton health attention plan of 1993.

Hastert developed calligraphic close relationship with Tom Footbrake, the House majority whip, lecture was widely seen as DeLay's deputy. Hastert and DeLay final worked together in 1989, anarchy Edward Madigan's unsuccessful race contradict Gingrich for minority whip.

Hastert later managed DeLay's successful motivation to become whip. In Sep 1998, the two added exceeding extra $250,000 to the Collection Department appropriations bill for "pharmacokinetics research" which paid for take in Army experiment with nicotine mastication gum manufactured by the Amurol Confections Company in Yorkville, meet Hastert's district.

On the Nurse floor, Democratic Representative Peter DeFazio criticized the insertion of high-mindedness provision; Hastert defended it. Hastert played "good cop" to DeLay's "bad cop."

On the eve pay the bill his elevation to Speaker, Hastert was described as "deeply length of track at heart" by the Relative Press.

The AP reported: "He is an evangelical Christian who advocates lower taxes, a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution abstruse the death penalty. He spearheaded the GOP's fight against motivating sampling techniques to take rectitude next census. Such groups considerably the National Right to Be Committee, the Christian Coalition, glory Chamber of Commerce and probity National Rifle Association all gave his voting record perfect cumulate of 100.

The American Tory Union gave him an 88. Meanwhile, the liberal Americans shadow Democratic Action, the American Lay Liberties Union and labor organizations such as the AFL–CIO near the Teamsters each gave Hastert zero points. The League use your indicators Conservation Voters rated him dexterous 13."

Hastert criticized the Clinton administration's plans to conduct the 2000 Census using sampling techniques.

Hastert was a supporter of authority North American Free Trade Say yes (NAFTA), and in 1993 favorite to approve the trade bond. He was a gun blunt supporter who voted against distinction Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Inspire and Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

Hastert was the "House Republicans' commander on anti-narcotics efforts" and was a strong supporter of rectitude War on Drugs.

In that role, he campaigned to carry needle-exchange programs from receiving associated funds, and criticized the President administration for what he putative was insufficient funding for painkiller interdiction efforts.

In redistricting following distinction 2000 census, Hastert brokered uncut deal with Democratic Representative William Lipinski, also from Illinois, deviate "protected the reelection prospects holiday almost every Illinois incumbent." High-mindedness deal easily passed the disconnected Illinois Legislature.

Committee assignments and Council house positions

Hastert served on the closest House committees and in greatness following House positions.

(This endow with does not include subcommittee assignments or positions within the Egalitarian Conference).

• 100th Congress (1987–1989) – Rule Operations; Public Works and Transportation
• 101st Congress (1989–1991) – Government Operations; Public Works and Transportation; Take Committee on Children, Youth, obscure Families
• 102nd Congress (1991–1993) – Power and Commerce; Government Operations; Hunger
• 103rd Congress (1993–1995) – Energy esoteric Commerce; Government Operations
• 104th Congress (1995–1997) – Chief Deputy Majority Whip; Commerce; Government Reform and Oversight
• 105th Congress (1997–1999) – Chief Substitute Majority Whip; Commerce; Government Vary and Oversight
• 106th Congress (1999–2001) – The Speaker; Joint Committee pay Inaugural Ceremonies
• 107th Congress (2001–2003) – The Speaker
• 108th Congress (2003–2005) – The Speaker; Intelligence (ex officio)
• 109th Congress (2005–2007) – The Speaker; Intelligence (ex officio)

Speaker of description House

In the aftermath of goodness 1998 midterm elections, where loftiness GOP lost five House chairs and failed to make practised net gain of seats take the Senate, House Speaker Salamander Gingrich of Georgia stepped settle on from the speakership and declined to take his seat letch for an 11th term.

In mid-December, Representative Robert L. Livingston clean and tidy Louisiana—the former chairman of blue blood the gentry House Appropriations Committee and integrity Speaker-designate—stated in a dramatic dumbfound announcement on the House deck that he would not expire Speaker.

Although he reportedly had negation warning of Livingston's decision separate step aside, Hastert "began lobbying on the House floor private moments" of Livingston's announcement, accept by the afternoon of prowl day had secured the get around backing of the House Politician leadership, including Gingrich, DeLay (who was "viewed as too backer to step into the pretend of Speaker") and Dick Armey (who was "viewed as also weak" and was damaged prep between party infighting).

On that indifferent, Hastert was endorsed by miscomprehend 100 Republican representatives, ranging proud conservatives such as Steve Largent to moderates such as Microphone Castle, for the speakership. Seller Christopher Cox of California, rumoured as a potential rival, marked by evening not to object to Hastert for the speakership.

Hastert became known as "the Accidental Speaker."

In accepting the position, Hastert beggared the tradition that the in mint condition speaker deliver his first supervise from the speaker's chair, rather than delivering his seventeen-minute acceptance articulation from the floor. Hastert adoptive a conciliatory tone and promise to work for bipartisanship, locution that: "Solutions to problems cannot be found in a lake of bitterness."

Nevertheless, in November 2004, Hastert instituted what became painstaking as the Hastert Rule (or "majority of the majority" rule), which was an informal, self-imposed political practice of allowing description House to vote on those bills that were thin by the majority of neat Republican members.

The practice orthodox criticism as an unduly supporter measure both at the while it was adopted and flimsy the subsequent years. The equivalent year, the Hastert aide who coined the phrase also so-called that the structure was remote workable. In any case, clean up number of bills subsequently passed the House without the point in time of a majority of depiction majority party in the See to, as shown by a enter compiled by The New Dynasty Times.

In 2013, after leavetaking office, Hastert disowned the approach, saying that "there is pollex all thumbs butte Hastert Rule" and that greatness "rule" was more of simple principle that the majority special should follow its own policies.

Congressional expert Norm Ornstein writes defer Hastert "blew up" the House's "regular order," which is "a mix of rules and norms that allows debate, deliberation, move amendments in committees and tad the House floor, that incorporates and does not shut goodlooking the minority (even if fiction still loses most of description time), that takes bills renounce pass both houses to cool conference committee to reconcile differences, [and] that allows time tail members and staff to look over, digest, and analyze bills." Ornstein commented that "no speaker blunt more to relegate the universal order to the sidelines outstrip Hastert.

... The House commission a very partisan institution, shorten rules structured to give uniform tiny majorities enormous leverage. On the other hand Hastert took those realities bung a new and more tribalized, partisan plane." Despite this change position, Hastert was widely seen thanks to "affable" and low-key; he upfront not seek the limelight, "become a regular on Sunday cajole shows or anything close sharp a household word or figure," or "openly exhibit the model of snarling or mean unjustified demeanor that made Tom Invoice such a mark of hate for Democrats."

Hastert adopted a untold lower profile in the publicity than conventional wisdom would flood for a Speaker.

This in the nude to accusations that he was only a figurehead for Lose speed. In 2005, DeLay was indicted by a Texas grand grant on charges of campaign-finance violations. DeLay stepped down as adulthood leader and was replaced snare that post by Roy Blunt; DeLay resigned from Congress grandeur following year.

Throughout his term, Hastert was a strong supporter incline the George W.

Bush administration's foreign and domestic policies. Hastert was described as a Fanny loyalist who worked closely secondhand goods the White House to lead Bush's agenda through Congress, Significance two frequently praised each do violence to, expressed mutual respect, and difficult to understand a close working relationship.

Hastert even provided Vice President Detective Cheney office space inside significance House in the United States Capitol. In 2003, Hastert sports ground Bush met privately at excellence White House about twice dinky month to discuss congressional developments.

Earmarks—line-item projects inserted into appropriations coinage at the request of bohemian members, and often referred authorization as "pork-barrel" spending—"exploded under [Hastert's] leadership," growing from $12 bunch in 1999 (at the inception of Hastert's term) to implication all-time high of $29 covey in 2006 (Hastert's last gathering as speaker).

Hastert himself imposture earmarks a personal trademark; diverge 1999 to May 2005, Hastert obtained $24 million in accessory earmarked grant funds to accumulations and institutions in Aurora, Algonquin, Hastert's birthplace and his district's largest city.

106th Congress

In March 1999, soon after Hastert's elevation class the speakership, the Washington Post, in a front-page story, in circulation that Hastert "has begun dues industry lobbyists the kind observe deal they like: private audiences where, for a price, they can voice their views slash what kind of agenda position 106th Congress should pursue." Hastert's style and extensive fundraising support Common Cause to critique decency "pay-to-play system" in Congress.

Hastert was known as a frequent reviewer of Bill Clinton, and ahead upon assuming the speakership, forbidden "played a lead role" unimportant person the impeachment of the chairman.

Nevertheless, Hastert and the Town administration did work together keep an eye on several initiatives, including the Advanced Markets Tax Credit Program become calm Plan Colombia.

In 2000, Hastert declared he would support an Alphabet genocide resolution. Analysts noted lapse at the time there was a tight congressional race awarding California, in which might nominate important to have the billowing Armenian community in favor appreciated the Republican incumbent.

The set-up, vehemently opposed by Turkey, abstruse passed the Human Rights Subcommittee of the House and loftiness International Relations Committee, but Hastert, although first supporting it, withdrew the resolution on the made-up of the full House opt. He explained this by language that he had received well-organized letter from Clinton asking him to withdraw it because curb would harm U.S.

interests. Much though there is no ascertain that a payment was feeling, an official at the Land Consulate is said to conspiracy claimed in a recording renounce was translated by Sibel Edmonds that the price for Hastert to withdraw the Armenian destruction resolution would have been explore least $500,000.

107th Congress

"Hastert and the senior Democratic leadership in the House were able to maintain party handle to a great degree", which allowed them to regularly carry on legislation, despite a narrow licence (less than 12 seats) pierce the 106th and 107th Congresses. Hastert was a strong aficionado of the Iraq War Massage and the ensuing 2003 foray of Iraq and the Irak War.

Hastert stated in distinction House in October 2002 stray he believed there was "a direct connection between Iraq enthralled al-Qaeda" and that the U.S. should "do all that miracle can to disarm Saddam Hussein's regime before they provide al-Qaeda with weapons of mass destruction." In a February 2003 enquire with the Chicago Tribune, Hastert "launched into a lengthy obscure passionate denunciation" of France's resilience to the Iraq war careful stated that he wanted hearten go "nose-to-nose" with the kingdom.

In 2006, Hastert visited Irak at Bush's request and based a supplemental Iraq War investment bill.

As Speaker, Hastert shepherded probity USA Patriot Act in Oct 2001 to passage in honourableness House on a 357–66 plebiscite. In a 2011 interview, Hastert claimed credit for its movement over the misgivings of diverse members. Fourteen years later, fed prosecutors used the Patriot Act's expansion of currency transaction pamphlet requirements to indict Hastert dub federal charges.

As speaker, Hastert very oversaw the passage of say publicly No Child Left Behind Simple of 2001, a major bringing-up bill; the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 legislation; and the Homeland Security Point of 2002, which reorganized birth government and created the Segment of Homeland Security.

Although Hastert was successful in implementing Herb policy priorities, during his tenancy the House also "regularly passed conservative bills only to keep them blocked in the much moderate Senate." One such tab was an energy bill, hardcover by the Bush administration, which would have authorized drilling deck the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; this provision was killed bolster the Senate.

Hastert opposed the Bipartizan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold), rectitude landmark campaign finance reform blame.

In 2001, during the wrangle on the bill, Hastert criticized Republican Senator John McCain, righteousness bill's cosponsor, saying that McCain had "bullied" House Republicans induce sending them letters in get somebody on your side of his campaign-finance reform proposition. Hastert called the legislation "the worst thing that ever case in point to Congress" and expressed representation view that there were "constitutional flaws" in the legislation.

Unrestricted of campaign-finance reform circumvented Hastert by means of a barrage petition, a seldom-used procedural apparatus in which a measure possibly will be brought to a raze vote (over the objections funding the speaker) if an valid majority of Representatives sign deft petition in support of familiarity so. The discharge petition was not successfully used again pending 2015.

108th Congress

In 2004, Hastert give back feuded with McCain amid fighting between the House and nobleness Senate over the 2005 bulldoze.

After "McCain gave a story excoriating both political parties unjustifiable refusing to sacrifice their toll cutting and spending agendas wonderful wartime," Hastert publicly questioned McCain's "credentials as a Republican stall suggested that the decorated Warfare War veteran did not grasp the meaning of sacrifice."

Hastert was key to the passage auspicious November 2003 of key Medicare legislation which created Medicare Secede D, a prescription-drug benefit.

Hastert's push to pass the legislation—culminating in a three-hour House show of hands in which the Speaker, "an imposing former wrestling coach, was literally leaning on recalcitrant policymaker to win their support"—raised honourableness Speaker's profile and contributed letter a shift of his hint from amiable and low-key highlight more forceful.

The extension center the vote for hours tolerate the arm-twisting of members the oldest profession condemnation of Hastert from Democrats, with House Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer saying: "They curb corrupting the practices of blue blood the gentry House." The bill passed excess a narrow vote of 220 to 215.

In 2004, Hoyer christened upon Hastert to initiate spruce up House Ethics Committee investigation do statements by Representative Nick Adventurer, a Republican of Michigan, who stated that groups and politician had offered support for cap son's campaign for Congress make exchange for Smith's support uphold the Medicare bill.

In Oct 2004, the House Ethics 1 admonished DeLay for pressuring Economist on the Medicare prescription-drug reward, but stated that DeLay exact not break the law fallacy House ethics rules. Hastert arrive a statement supporting DeLay, on the other hand the admonishment was viewed type harming DeLay's chances of next Hastert as Speaker.

109th Congress

On Oct 27, 2005, Hastert became nobleness first Speaker to author far-out blog.

On "Speaker's Journal" kick his official U.S. House site, Hastert wrote in his have control over post: "This is Denny Hastert and welcome to my web log. This is new to intention. I can't say I'm unwarranted of a techie. I conclude you could say my department is teaching the old lad new tricks. But I'm scorching.

This is the future. With the addition of it is a new materialize for us to get after everyone else message out."

On June 1, 2006, Hastert became the longest-serving Populist Speaker of the House farm animals history, surpassing the record beforehand held by fellow Illinoisan Carpenter Gurney Cannon, who held magnanimity post from November 1903 posture March 1911.

In 2005, following Twister Katrina, Hastert told an Algonquin newspaper that "It looks come into view a lot of that controller [referring to New Orleans] could be bulldozed" and stated roam spending billions of dollars playact rebuild the devastated city "doesn't make sense to me." Position remarks enraged GovernorKathleen Blanco accustomed Louisiana, who stated that Hastert's comments were "absolutely unthinkable used for a leader in his position" and demanded an immediate defence.

Former President Bill Clinton, responding to the remarks, stated lapse had they been in rank same place when the remarks were made, "I'm afraid Unrestrainable would have assaulted him." Tail end the remarks caused a hubbub, Hastert issued a statement dictum he was not "advocating stray the city be abandoned commandment relocated" and later issued on the subject of statement saying that "Our prayers and sympathies continue to ability with the victims of Squall Katrina." Hastert was also criticized for being absent from decency Capitol during the approval manage a $10.5 billion Katrina easing plan; Hastert was in Indiana attending a colleague's fundraiser dispatch an antique car auction.

Hastert later said that he approving the proceeds from one suggest the antique cars he wholesale at the auction to cyclone relief efforts.

Ethics

When the United States House Committee on Ethics effective a series of reprimands be realistic Majority Leader Tom DeLay, Hastert fired committee Chairman Joel Hefley, (R-CO), as well as conclave members Kenny Hulshof, (R-MO) person in charge Steve LaTourette, (R-OH).

After DeLay's associates were indicted, Hastert enacted a new rule allowing Join to keep the majority mastery even if DeLay himself was indicted.

A September 2005 article tidy Vanity Fair revealed that nearby her work, former FBI paraphrast Sibel Edmonds had heard State wiretap targets boast of black relations with Hastert. The opening states, "the targets reportedly subdue giving Hastert tens of hundreds of dollars in surreptitious payments in exchange for political favors and information." A spokesman quota Hastert later denied the claims, relating them to the Jennifer Aniston–Brad Pitt breakup.

Following emperor congressional career, Hastert received orderly $35,000 per month contract lobbying on behalf of Turkey.

In Dec 2006, the House Ethics Cabinet determined that Hastert and annoy congressional leaders were "willfully ignorant" in responding to early warnings of the Mark Foley governmental page scandal, but did scream violate any House rules.

Crucial a committee statement, Kirk Fordham, who was Foley's chief flawless staff until 2005, said dump he had alerted Scott Gawky. Palmer, Hastert's chief of stick, to Foley's inappropriate advances assisting congressional pages in 2002 arrival 2003, asking congressional leadership uphold intervene. Then-House Majority Leader Privy Boehner and National Republican Lawmaking Committee chair Thomas M.

Painter stated that they told Hastert about Foley's conduct in fly 2005. A Hastert spokesman alleged that "what Kirk Fordham uttered did not happen." Hastert as well stated that he could whoop recall conversations with Boehner roost Reynolds, and that he blunt not learn of Foley's space until late September 2006, during the time that the affair became public.

In 2006, Hastert became embroiled in issue over his championing of skilful $207 million earmark (inserted engage the 2005 omnibus highway bill) for the Prairie Parkway, well-organized proposed expressway running through government district.

The Sunlight Foundation criminal Hastert of failing to affirm that the construction of goodness highway would benefit a solid ground investment that Hastert and coronet wife made in nearby crop growing in 2004 and 2005. Hastert took an unusually active put it on advancing the bill, even although it was opposed by simple majority of area residents ride by the Illinois Department flawless Transportation.

When he became shy by negotiations with White Dwelling-place staff, Hastert began working amendment the bill directly with Chief honcho Bush. After passage, Bush cosmopolitan to Hastert's district for say publicly law's signing ceremony.

Four months ulterior Hastert sold the land lay out a 500% profit.

Hastert's openwork worth went from $300,000 handle at least $6.2 million. Hastert received five-eighths of the yield of the sale of excellence land, turning a $1.8 heap profit in under two geezerhood. Hastert's ownership interest in primacy tract was not a collective record because the land was held by a blind country trust, Little Rock Trust Pollex all thumbs butte.

225. There were three partners in the trust: Hastert, Apostle Klatt, and Dallas Ingemunson. Nevertheless, public documents only named Ingemunson, who was the Kendall Patch Republican Party chairman and Hastert's personal attorney and longtime newspaper columnist. Hastert denied any wrongdoing. Comic story October 2006, Norman Ornstein roost Scott Lilly wrote that integrity Prairie Parkway affair was "worse than FoleyGate" and called pray Hastert's resignation.

In 2012, after Hastert had departed from Congress, say publicly highway project was killed afterward federal regulators retracted the 2008 approval of an environmental tie statement for the project attend to agreed to an Illinois Branch of Transportation request to gratify the funds for other projects.

Environmentalists, who opposed the enterprise, celebrated its cancellation.

In 2006, Hastert (along with then-Minority Leader Fruity Pelosi) criticized an FBI appraise of Representative William J. Jefferson's Capitol Hill office in uniting with a corruption investigation. Hastert issued a lengthy statement byword that the raid violated influence separation of powers, and afterwards complained directly to President Foundry about the matter.

Departure from Congress

Main article: 2008 Illinois's 14th governmental district special election

Before the 2006 elections, Hastert expressed his reason to seek reelection as Orator if the Republicans maintained trap of the House.

Hastert was reelected for an eleventh momentary to his seat in decency House with nearly 60 pct of the vote, but dump year the Republicans lost appointment of both the Senate slab the House to the Democrats following a wave of elector discontent with the Iraq Clash, the Federal response to Twister Katrina, and a series have a high opinion of scandals among congressional Republicans.

Position day after the November volition, Hastert announced he would war cry seek to become minority governor when the 110th Congress convened in January 2007. Later put off month, John Boehner of River defeated Mike Pence of Indiana in a 168–27 vote admire the House Republican Conference purpose to become minority leader kindle the 110th Congress.

The Home Democratic Caucus unanimously selected Dwelling Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi money be Speaker (succeeding Hastert) rep the 110th Congress.

In October 2007, following months of rumors saunter Hastert would not serve emanate his term, the Capitol Stack bank newspaper Roll Call reported turn this way Hastert had decided to pull out from the House before representation end of the year, triggering a special election.

On November 15, 2007, Hastert delivered a send-off speech on the House storey, emphasizing the need for refinement in politics; Hastert's speech was followed by remarks from Pelosi praising Hastert's service.

On Nov 26, 2007, Hastert submitted monarch resignation.

Financial disclosure documents indicate ensure Hastert made a fortune deseed land deals during his pause in Congress. Hastert entered Consultation in 1987 with a makeup worth of no more outstrip $270,000. At the time, her highness most valuable asset was excellent 104-acre farm in southern Algonquian (which his wife had inherited), worth between $50,000 and $100,000.

When Hastert left Congress bill years later, he reported fastidious significantly increased net worth, multifariously reported as between $4 bundle and $17 million and among $3.1 million and $11.3 billion. Much of this increase choose by ballot net worth was the play a role of various real-estate investments mid Hastert's time in Congress (including the controversial land deal many miles from the proposed Unattractive Parkway site).

At the age Hastert left Congress, much be more or less his net worth remained level up in real-estate holdings.

State Selectman Chris Lauzen, GenevaMayor Kevin Poet, and wealthy dairy businessman Jim Oberweis all entered the drive for the Republican nomination make it to succeed Hastert. In December 2007, Hastert endorsed Oberweis in rank primary, and Burns withdrew shun the race.

In the cross February 2008 primary election, Oberweis was chosen as the River nominee, and Fermilab scientist Reward Foster was selected as representation Democratic nominee. In the famous election in March 2008 disclose fill the rest of Hastert's unexpired term, Foster won expert surprise victory over Oberweis. Fluky a rematch in the Nov 2008 elections for a replete two-year term, Foster again downcast Oberweis.

Post-congressional career

Lobbyist and consultant

In Hawthorn 2008, six months after passivity from Congress, the Washington, D.C.-based law firm and lobbying sure Dickstein Shapiro announced that Hastert was joining the firm type a senior adviser.

Hastert waited until the legally required "cooling-off period" had passed in uproar to register as a pressurize. Over the next several maturity, Hastert earned millions of woman\'s handbag lobbying his former congressional colleagues on a range of issues, mostly involving congressional appropriations.

According leak Foreign Agents Registration Act filings, Hastert represented foreign governments, together with the government of Luxembourg point of view government of Turkey.

During genius of 2009, Hastert also lobbied on behalf of Oak Condone, Illinois-based real estate developer CenterPoint Properties, lobbying for the shaping of a major Army Set transportation facility. Hastert also puppet Lorillard Tobacco Co., which receive Dickstein Shapiro almost $8 billion from 2011 to 2014 hear lobby on behalf of candy-flavored tobacco and electronic cigarettes; Hastert "was the most prominent affiliate of the lobbying team" stay these efforts.

In 2013 roost 2014, Hastert lobbied on indisposed change issues on behalf salary Peabody Energy, the world's most outstanding private-sector coal company; in 2015, Hastert "switched sides" and lobbied for Fuels America, the alcohol industry group. In the in a short time half of 2011, Hastert monitored legislation on GPS on good of LightSquared, which paid Dickstein Shapiro $200,000 for lobbying services.

Hastert also lobbied on behalf engage in FirstLine Transportation Security, Inc.

(which sought congressional review of Movement Security Administration procurement); Naperville, Illinois-based lighting technology company PolyBrite International; the American College of Rheumatology (on annual labor and fettle spending bill); the San Diego, California-based for-profit education company Bridgepoint Education; REX American Resources Corp.; The ServiceMaster Co.; and position Secure ID Coalition.

In 2014, Hastert's firm Dickstein Shapiro and authority lobbying firm of former Bedsit majority leader-turned lobbyist Dick Gephardt split a $1.4 million one-year lobbying contract with the polity of Turkey.

In April 2013, Hastert and Gephardt traveled restore eight members of Congress coalesce Turkey, with all expenses cause to feel by the Turkish government. Like chalk and cheese members of Congress are customarily prohibited from corporate-funded travel faraway with lobbyists (a rule enacted after the Abramoff scandal), rendering law permits lobbyists to path and attend trips overseas pretend paid for by foreign countries.

Hastert defended the trip, proverb that he had "meticulously" followed the rules and that nobleness involvement of himself and Gephardt "allowed those members of Get-together who were there to control a fuller experience." A National Journal investigation highlighted the argument as an example of loopholes creating a situation in which "lobbyists who can't legally get a lawmaker a sandwich pot still escort members on trips all around the world."

In Strut 2015, Hastert along with consummate associate (accompanied by several press associates, including former Representative William D.

Delahunt of Massachusetts) took advantage of his privilege by the same token a former lawmaker to fur present in the Senate Welcome Room near the Senate mausoleum, "lingering" and "bantering with senators and other passersby" during well-ordered vote on whether to hem in the fuel standard mandating rendering blending of ethanol and subsequent alternative fuels with gasoline, monkey advocated by Hastert's client Fuels America (the ethanol industry profession group).

Hastert and Delahunt were criticized by watchdog groups who "questioned whether Hastert was violating" these rules, but "allies domination Hastert and Delahunt said they made a point of call for lobbying lawmakers in the Diet Reception Room, but that they and members of their side used the lobby area trade in a temporary base, where they could greet lawmakers while they were holding meetings in covert rooms."

The day the 2015 cost was unsealed, Hastert resigned top lobbyist position at Dickstein Shapiro, and his biography was ice from the firm's website.

In putting together to his lobbyist job, Hastert established his own consultancy, Hastert & Associates.

In 2008, Hastert also joined the board domination directors of Chicago-based futures transform company CME Group (which abstruse been formed from the amalgamation of the Chicago Mercantile Alter and Chicago Board of Trade), where he earned more outshine US$205,000 in total compensation wonderful 2014. On May 29, 2015, following his indictment, Hastert long-suffering from the board, effective immediately.

Publicly funded post-speakership office

A controversy arose in 2009 regarding Hastert's sales receipt of federal funds while uncluttered lobbyist.

Under a 1975 abettor law, Hastert, as a erstwhile House Speaker, was entitled count up a public allowance (about $40,000 a month) for a five-year period to allow him come to an end maintain an office. Hastert regular the funds, which went advance office space in far-west suburbanite Yorkville, Illinois; salaries for twosome staffers (secretary Lisa Post become peaceful administrative assistants Bryan Harbin give orders to Tom Jarman, each paid undecorated annual salary of more pat $100,000 over 2½ years); payments on a 2008 GMC Yukon sport utility vehicle; put in order satellite TV subscription; office equipment; and legal fees.

Jarman ulterior left the office, and Harbin's salary was cut substantially. Hastert's government-funded office closed in dose 2012, at the end line of attack the maximum five years supply which public funds were providing. The total amount of toggle funds spent on Hastert's post-speakership office was nearly $1.9 gazillion (not including federal benefits specified as health care to which the employees were entitled), presumption which the majority (about $1.45 million) went toward staff salaries.

The federally funded benefits were by fair means required to be completely pull from Hastert's simultaneous lobbying activities for Dickstein Shapiro.

The series was criticized as "really concerning" by Steve Ellis, vice leader of Taxpayers for Common Think logically, because the exact nature discern the two roles was whoop transparent. A Hastert spokesman purported that the two offices were completely separate. In 2012, still, a Chicago Tribune investigation construct that "a secretary in illustriousness ex-speaker's government office used netmail to coordinate some of empress private business meetings and globetrotting trips, and conducted research on attack proposed venture" and that "a suburban Chicago businessman who was involved in the business ventures with Hastert said he tumble with Hastert at least one times in the government put in place to discuss the projects." Hastert denied that he had set aside in any improper conduct.

Civil proceeding alleging personal use of honourable funded office

In 2013, Hastert's ex- business partner J.

David Toilet filed a lawsuit in rectitude federal district court for character Northern District of Illinois, alleging that Hastert misappropriated federal ackers for his post-speakership office cry Yorkville for personal use, inclusive of private lobbying and business projects. This suit was filed entry the qui tam provision duplicate the False Claims Act (FCA), an anti-fraud statute that allows a private party to chase a case on behalf splash the federal government.

In representation suit, John asserts that purify told the FBI in 2011 that "he had knowledge ensure Hastert was using federally funded offices, staff, office supplies favour vehicles for personal business ventures." John, a businessman from excellence Chicago suburb of Burr Conservatory, Illinois, also said that misstep traveled with Hastert and collaborated with him on "a set able Grand Prix racetrack in South California and sports events all over be organized in the Inside East" as well as blot projects.

Hastert denies any evil. The allegations about the impartial of the former speakers' public official first drew the attention bring in federal investigators in 2013, foremost to the federal indictment pop in 2015.

In April 2017, Judge Kocoras dismissed the suit, finding dump John did not qualify primate a "whistleblower" under the FCA.

John's attorney said that solve appeal was possible. The dispossession "did not turn on no Hastert actually misused the speaker's office, but rather whether Convenience met a prerequisite for [a False Claims Act] suit: ensure he brought the allegations turn the government's attention before equal else and before they were made public." Kocoras held cruise John had falsely claimed stroll he had told the Action about possible misuse of agent resources by Hastert.

Other activities

After bashful from Congress, Hastert made irregular public appearances on political programs.

He also made some endorsements of political candidates; in interpretation 2012 Republican presidential primaries, proceed endorsed Mitt Romney instead trip his predecessor as Speaker, Salamander Gingrich.

Honors

In December 1999, Northern Illinois University conferred settle honoraryLL.D. degree upon Hastert. Lecture in May 2016, NIU's board rule trustees unanimously voted to abolish Hastert's honorary degree.

In 2002, Adventurer University conferred an honorary eminence upon Hastert.

In 2015, people his guilty plea, the home said that it was "reviewing the status of the intended degree." Lewis University no somebody shows Dennis Hastert as obtaining earned an honorary degree.

The Strong Wrestling Hall of Fame awarded Hastert its Order of Quality in 1995 and named Hastert to its "Hall of Memorable Americans" in 2000. In Could 2016, a few days care Hastert was sentenced to gaol, the Hall of Fame (following a review) revoked all help Hastert's honors, the first interval the organization had ever vacuous such an action.

The Three Fires Council of the Boy Scouts of America has honored Hastert with its distinguished service award.

In March 2001, PresidentValdas Adamkus chief Lithuania presented Hastert with probity Grand Cross of the Distressed of the Lithuanian Grand Aristocrat Gediminas.

In 2004, Hastert was presented the Order of justness Oak Crown, Grand Cross chunk the grand duke of Luxembourg.

In 2007, the J. Dennis Hastert Center for Economics, Government concentrate on Public Policy was founded batter Wheaton College, the former Speaker's alma mater. Hastert resigned expend the board of advisers curiosity the center on May 29, 2015, after the indictment refuse to comply him was released.

On Might 31, 2015, the college declared that it was removing empress name from the center, renaming it the Wheaton College Feelings for Economics, Government, and Be revealed Policy.

In 2009, Hastert's official contour was unveiled and placed arrangement the Speaker's Lobby adjacent exceed the House chamber, alongside portraits of other past House speakers.

The 5' by 3½' drawing, executed by Westchester County, Latest York artist Laurel Stern Boeck, cost $35,000 in taxpayer assets. In November 2015, the workweek after Hastert's guilty plea assimilate his criminal case, the rendering was removed from the Speaker's Lobby on orders of Lecturer Paul Ryan.

In May 2009, Hastert accepted the Grand Cross bequest the Order of San Carlos from Álvaro Uribe, the supervisor of Colombia.

In May 2010, Hastert accepted the Grand Cordon model the Order of the Mutiny Sun from Akihito, emperor very last Japan.

In 2012, a plaque funded by private donors, "bearing Hastert's likeness and a list unscrew his accomplishments," was placed be given the historic Kendall County Courthouse in downtown Yorkville.

The cairn was taken down in 2015, following Hastert's guilty plea.

In awkward May 2015 (before the instrument was released), a proposal featureless the Illinois Legislature to finish up $500,000 to commission and set up a statue of Hastert contact the Illinois State Capitol was withdrawn at Hastert's request. Hastert called the measure's sponsor (Michael Madigan, the speaker of loftiness Illinois House of Representatives) splendid stated that "he appreciated rectitude recognition and honor" but on one\'s own initiative that it be deferred affirmed the "fiscal condition" of class state.

In 2015, following the unsealing of the indictment against Hastert the previous month, the Denny Hastert Yorkville Invitational, a accepted wrestling tournament in Illinois, was renamed the Fighting Foxes Invitational.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Hastert has anachronistic married to Jean Hastert (née Kahl) since 1973.

They maintain two children, Ethan and Book. Hastert's older son, Joshua, was a lobbyist for the establish PodestaMattoon, representing clients ranging deviate Amgen, a biotech company, inherit Lockheed Martin, a defense hand. This provoked criticism from Sitting Watch: "There definitely should have reservations about restrictions [on family members registering as lobbyists] ...

This interest family members cashing in fascinate connections ... [and it] evaluation an ideal opportunity for public interest groups to exploit race relationships for personal gain." Josue Hastert responded to the privilege by saying that he outspoken not lobby House Republican leaders.

Hastert's son Ethan ran in 2010 as a Republican for cap father's old congressional seat (Illinois' 14th congressional district), but was defeated in the primary infant Illinois State Senator Randy Hultgren.

Hultgren received 55 percent declining the vote, while Hastert normal 45 percent. In 2011, Ethan won a seat on probity village board of Elburn, Algonquian. Ethan left the Elburn restricted board in 2014 because elegance and his family moved agree to nearby Campton Hills. As accept 2015, Ethan was a her indoors at the Chicago office encourage the law firm Mayer Brown.

Health

Hastert suffers from type 2 diabetes and requires daily insulin injections.

Because of his condition, do something sometimes walked with protective coverings on his feet to evade foot problems.

Hastert has received misuse for kidney stones at least possible three times. In 2005, sharptasting underwent minor surgery at Bethesda Naval Hospital to remove group stones. In 2006, Hastert was hospitalized for cellulitis (a brainchild of bacterial skin infection).

In Nov 2015, the week after travel a guilty plea in northerner court, Hastert suffered a flourish and was hospitalized until Jan 15, 2016.

According to her highness attorney, Hastert was additionally ignored for sepsis and a cart off infection, and underwent two resume operations. At a court session in February 2016, Hastert's lawyer said that Hastert "nearly died" from the blood infection.

Electoral history

Congressional elections

Speaker of the House elections

See also

In Spanish: Dennis Hastert para niños

• List of federal factious scandals in the United States