 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (June 2016) |
Lee Daniels | |
|---|---|
 Daniels in 1987 | |
| Chair of the Illinois Republican Party | |
| In office 2001 – July 2002 | |
| Preceded by | Richard S. Williamson |
| Succeeded by | Gary MacDougal |
| Minority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 1997 – January 8, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Madigan |
| Succeeded by | Tom Cross |
| In office January 5, 1983 – January 11, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Madigan |
| Succeeded by | Michael Madigan |
| 68th Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 11, 1995 – January 8, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Madigan |
| Succeeded by | Michael Madigan |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 46th district | |
| In office January 1983 – January 2007 | |
| Preceded by | District Created |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Reboletti |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 40th district | |
| In office January 1975 – January 1983 Serving with Gene L. Hoffman (R) (1975-1983) Bill Redmond (D) (1975-1981) Hubert J. Loftus (D) (1981-1983) | |
| Preceded by | Pate Philip[1] |
| Succeeded by | District Abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lee Albert Daniels April 15, 1942 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Pamela Daniels |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence | Elmhurst, Illinois |
| Alma mater | John Marshall Law School University of Iowa |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Website | Official website |
Lee Albert Daniels (born April 15, 1942) is an American retired politician who served as the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1995 to 1997, and as the Minority Leader from 1997 to 2003. A member of the a Republican Party, Daniels served as member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1975 to 2007, representing the 40th district from 1975 to 1983, and the 46th district from 1983 to 2007. Daniels also Chaired the Illinois Republican Party from 2001 until his resignation in 2002, and served as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures from 1989 to 1990.
Daniels first contested in the 1974 elections after winning the primary in March, and was elected as one of the three representatives for the 40th district. He would serve until 1983, when his district was abolished as part of the Cutback Amendment. He ran to represent the 46th district as its sole representative, winning in the 1982 general election. In 1994, the Republicans secured a government trifecta after regaining control of the House. Daniels was subsequently elected Speaker, serving until 1997. After the 1996 elections, Democrats again regained the House, and Daniels stepped down as Speaker. Daniels continued to lead the Republicans in the House, serving as Minority Leader until 2003. Although he resigned as Chair of the Illinois GOP in July 2022, Daniels led his party through the 2002 elections, in which the Republican Party lost 4 seats. Daniels subsequently resigned as Minority Leader, being succeeded by Tom Cross.
Daniels contested in the 2004 elections and won his seat, but ultimately declined to run in 2006; he was succeeded by Republican Dennis Reboletti. After retiring from politics, Daniels has been chairman of the board of directors of Haymarket Center, a nonprofit drug treatment center based primarily in Chicago, since 2014. He also has been involved in academics; "Daniels Hall" of Elmhurst University was named after him.