David Cortland O'Neal

Background

O'Neal, David Cortland was born on January 24, 1937 in Belleville, Illinois, United States. Son of Floyd O. and Edna Ruth (Barrow) O'N.

Education

Student, McKendree College, 1957. Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy, St. Louis College Pharmacy, 1962.

Career

For six years he served as Saint Clair County Sheriff, the first Republican to hold that office in twenty years. Prior to entering politics O’Neal was a pharmacist and businessman. He is the recipient of the Illinois Wisconsin States Association of Elks Humanitarian of the Year and East Saint Louis Model Cities Program Meritorious Services Award and was named Outstanding Young Republican of the United States in 1975 and Outstanding Young Republican of Illinois in 1971.

An athlete, his hobbies include sports such as tennis, golf, bowling and motorcycling. Lieutenant Governor O’Neal devoted much effort to overseeing the Senior Legislative Forum, a legislative advocacy group he created to aid senior citizens throughout Illinois. He also worked closely with the State's two Senior Action Centers, which provides assistance with the elderly and disabled.

His other responsibilities have included chairmanships of the Governor's Special Commission on State-Mandated Programs, the Technical Advisory Committee on Aging, the Illinois Energy Contingency Council's Subcommittee, the Governor's Jail and Detention Standards Review Committee, and a committee to investigate administrative and correctional officer conditions at adult correctional centers. In 1980 O’Neal sought the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate winning the nomination to go on to the general election. After a tough election battle O’Neal went down to defeat.

Dixon defeated O’Neal in a vote of 2,565,302–1,946,296. O’Neal resigned as Lieutenant Governor in 1981, claiming that he was just bored.

Achievements

• David Cortland O"Neal has been listed as a noteworthy federal government executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Politics

The use of force should be supported, but only in extreme situations and only when the need is clear beyond reasonable doubt, and through appropriate international organizations.

Views

The distinctive feature of the Methodist Church is that lay people are involved in decision making.

Membership

He served as a member of the executive and economic development committees of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors and the governing boards of McKendree University in Lebanon, and the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy. He has also served as vice-chairman of the Governor's Energy Advisory Council, ex officio member of the Council on Aging, and a member of the Commission on Inter-Governmental Cooperation.

Interests

• Golf, racquet ball, gardening, cooking.

Connections

Married Sandra Finley, December 26, 1959 (divorced January 1981). Children: Allison Finley, Kelly O'Neal. Married Lonna McKenna, May 20, 1989.

1 stepchild, Stacey McKenna.

Father:

Floyd O. O'N.

Mother:

Edna Ruth (Barrow) O'N.

Spouse:

Lonna McKenna

Spouse:

Sandra Finley

child:

Kelly O'Neal

child:

Allison Finley O'Neal