By Joe Ragusa
CHICAGO – Former Illinois Gov. Dan Walker has died at the age of 92.
The Chicago Sun-Times confirmed the news through his son’s law office.
Walker was elected in 1972 and was known for walking nearly 1,200 miles across Illinois during his campaign. He served one term before losing in the 1976 Democratic primary.
In 1987, he pleaded guilty to bank fraud charges and served 18 months in prison. Of the four Illinois governors who have served time in prison, Walker is the only one whose crime wasn’t related to his time as governor.
After prison, he authored three books. He died at his home in California.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
