Former Congressman Tim Johnson Dies
Then-Congressman Tim Johnson announces his retirement from Congress in 2012. The longtime lawmaker passed away Monday at the age of 75. (Photo: Illinois Public Media)
Ever walking, ever randomly making phone calls to constituents, former Congressman Tim Johnson may not have had a legislative portfolio a mile wide, but Johnson remained popular enough to never lose an election. Johnson died Monday at the age of 75.
Johnson, of Urbana, served in Congress from 2001 to 2013.
He served in the Illinois House from 1977-2001 before succeeding former Congressman Tom Ewing in Washington.
The Champaign County Coroner says Johnson was in an auto accident recently, but Johnson’s cause of death wouldn’t be available until he receives more reports on Johnson’s medical conditions.
Johnson had a complicated set of policy ideals. He served on the conservative Republican Study Committee, co-founded the moderate “Center Aisle Caucus,” was the only Republican to vote against expanded warrantless wiretaps in 2008, and voted against extending the PATRIOT Act in 2011.
“Tim was a friend who worked as hard as anyone I know,” said former Congressman John Shimkus, who served with Johnson in Washington. “He was unique in policy and politics. Central Illinois has lost a good friend.”
Johnson was known for walking miles each day, often with friends in and out of politics, conducting meetings, and making cold calls to constituents.
Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), first met Johnson as a student at the University of Illinois in 1994, and walked with Johnson for close to 25 years.
“He was a force, man,” Rose said Tuesday. “Every time I walked with him from college until last year, I learned something new, every time.”
Rose says Johnson never stopped trying to help constituents. He says Johnson called his district office last week referring a local resident issue for Rose’s office to help with.
Johnson was caught in 1980 with a paper clip jammed in his voting machine in Springfield, which became a campaign issue many times over the years, including for his first run for congress in 2000.
Johnson was also presiding over House proceedings the morning of September 11, 2001, and hurriedly adjourned morning business after just 15 minutes as the Capitol was being evacuated.
He had nine children and ten grandchildren.