Illinois Politics Come to Hanover

Visiting assistant professor of economics Charlie Wheelan '88 held a fundraiser at the Hanover Inn in late January. Wheelan is one of several candidates running for the Illinois congressional seat left vacant by Rahm Emanuel, who resigned to serve as President Obamas chief of staff. Jim and Susan Wright were among the 80 guests. (Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who held the seat prior to Emanuel, was not invited.) Wheelan, a Democrat, is also a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago and the author of Naked Economics. (Full disclosure: He's also a former DAM advisory board member.) The fete was held the same day Kirsten Gillibrand '88 was named to the U.S. Senate. Said Wheelan: "I'll take that as a good sign." The special election takes place March 3.