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Former Illinois Gov. Dan Walker Passes Away

AP Photo/Seth Perlman

Former Illinois Governor Dan Walker has died.

Walker came to fame in 1971 by literally walking the length of Illinois.

He spent much of his time fighting the Democratic machine. In Illinois in the 1970s, that meant fighting Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.

"I have been trying very hard to bring to this state a Democratic Party that is open. A Democratic Party that is responsive to people. And a Democratic Party that is representative of people all over the state of Illinois, and does not just respond top the wishes of one man in Chicago."

That fight made Walker a one-term governor, and his party wouldn’t regain Illinois’ top job until 2003.

Things got worse out of office. In the 1980s, Walker pleaded guilty to bank fraud and went to federal prison.

Walker is being remembered as a passionate and intelligent man with a confrontational side.

His son, Dan Walker Jr., says his father died at his California home Wednesday morning. He says his father accomplished many things, including being a father to seven children.

Former Governor Jim Thompson says Walker famously battled with then-Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.

"I always thought that if he had decided to run for president, Daley would've supported him just to get him out of Illinois, supported him over Jimmy Carter."

Former Gov. Pat Quinn has often cited Walker as a mentor. In a statement, he noted Walker's military service.

Gov. Bruce Rauner says in a statement he's saddened to hear of the news and offers prayers to Walker's family.

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