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Collection Overview
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The Robert McGaw Papers document events in Rockford, Illinois from 1972-1981. Few of McGaw’s personal papers, financial records, campaign material, speeches, or position papers are included in the collection. It is a small collection divided into two series: Correspondence and Subject Files, and News Clippings.
The Correspondence and Subject Files series consists of material dating 1972-1981. It is predominantly correspondence arranged by topic. Subjects covered include: Community Services and Development, Aldermanic Appointments, letters supporting state and national level legislation, and Correspondence with Rockford City Departments. The second series is a set reproduced News Clippings dating 1974-1977. This series topics are very diverse. Subjects covered include: Annexation, Bicentennial Celebrations, Cable Television, Liquor Licenses, McGaw’s mayoral campaigns, Rockford City Departments, the Public Safety Building, and Unemployment.
Although small, the collection does provide the researcher with information on local events in Rockford during the mid-1970’s.
Collection Historical Note
Robert McGaw was born in Rockford, Illinois on April 9, 1923. He attended Northern Illinois University (NIU) where he received his B.S. Ed. degree in political science in 1950 and his M.S. Ed. degree in educational administration in 1966. As a professional, McGaw taught at Harlem High School in Love’s Park (near Rockford) for sixteen years, and became principal of Rock Cut Elementary School in 1968. During that time, McGaw served on the Rockford City Council as an alderman (1955), and chaired the Winnebago County Democratic Central Committee (1962). He was elected mayor of Rockford in 1973, an office he held until 1981. After serving as major, McGaw sat on the NIU Alumni Association Board as a director and held a position as instructor in NIU’s political science department for the Fall 1981 semester. McGaw died on February 21, 1988 after a sudden illness.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Northern Illinois University
Access Restrictions:
No materials in the collection may be published without consent of the donor, Robert McGaw.
Use Restrictions:
Property rights in the collection belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source:
Robert McGaw
Acquisition Method:
Robert McGaw donated his personal papers to the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on May 27, 1982.
Related Materials:
For other collections concerning Rockford, Winnebago County, and northern Illinois politicians researchers should consult the index to the Regional History Center’s guide.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[
Series I.: Correspondence and Subject Files],
[Series II.: News Clippings],
[
All]
- Series II.: News Clippings
- Box 4
- Folder 1: Airport, 1975-1977
- Folder 2: Animal Control, 1975-1977
- Folder 3: Annexation, 1974-1977
- Folder 4: Bicentennial Celebrations, 1974-1976
- Folder 5: Cable Television, 1974-1977
- Folder 6: Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA), 1974-1977
- Folder 7: Community/Downtown Development, 1974-1977
- Folder 8: Elderly, 1974-1977
- Folder 9: Flood Control, 1974-1977
- Folder 10: Garbage, Landfill, and Sewerage, 1975-1976
- Folder 11: Housing, 1975-1977
- Folder 12: Library, 1974-1977
- Folder 13: Liquor Licenses, 1974-1977
- Folder 14: McGaw - Campaigns, 1975-1977
- Folder 15: McGaw - Fund Raising, 1975
- Folder 16: Park District, 1974-1977
- Folder 17: Parking, Mass Transit, and Road Repair, 1975-1977
- Folder 18: Pornography, 1975-1977
- Folder 19: Public Safety Building, 1975-1977
- Folder 20: Rockford City Government: Alderman and City Employees, 1975-1977
- Folder 21: Rockford City Government: Budget, 1975-1977
- Folder 22: Rockford City Government: Ethics Law, 1974-1977
- Folder 23: Rockford City Government: Health Dept., 1975-1976
- Folder 24: Rockford City Government: Human Relations Council and Minority Employment, 1975
- Folder 25: Rockford City Government: Legal Department, 1975-1977
- Folder 26: Rockford City Government: Police and Fire Department, 1975-1977
- Folder 27: Rockford City Government: Revenue Sharing, 1975-1976
- Folder 28: Rockford City Government: Water Department, 1975-1976
- Folder 29: Schools, 1974-1977
- Folder 30: Schools - Salisbury Resignation, 1974
- Folder 31: Self - Service Gas Stations, 1977
- Folder 32: Strike, 1975
- Folder 33: Taxes, 1974-1977
- Folder 34: Redistricting, 1976-1977
- Folder 35: Unemployment, 1974-1977
- Folder 36: United Way, 1974-1975
- Folder 37: WESCO, 1974
Browse by Series:
[
Series I.: Correspondence and Subject Files],
[Series II.: News Clippings],
[
All]
Regional History Center 
