George Shadid
American politician (1929–2018)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
George P. Shadid (May 15, 1929[8] – February 3, 2018[7]) was an American Democratic politician. He was sheriff of Peoria County, Illinois from 1976 to 1993 and was in the Illinois State Senate from 1993 until 2006.[8]
George Shadid | |
|---|---|
Shadid in 2009 | |
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 46th district | |
| In office May 1993[1] – December 2006[2] | |
| Preceded by | Richard Luft[3] |
| Succeeded by | Dave Koehler[2] |
| Peoria County Sheriff | |
| In office December 1976[4] – May 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Bernard J. Kennedy[5] |
| Succeeded by | Al Misener[6] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 15, 1929 |
| Died | February 3, 2018 (aged 88)[7] |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lorraine K. (Unes) Shadid[8] |
| Children | 2[7][8] |
Background
Shadid was born in Clinton, Iowa to Edna Massad Shadid (Arabic: إدنا ماساد شاديد) and Philip A. Shadid (Arabic: فيليب شاديد) [8], who immigrated from what is now Lebanon.[9] At age 14, once in Peoria, Illinois, Shadid worked with future mayor Jim Maloof at the Maloof family cleaning business. They remained friends until Maloof's death.[10]
Career
Shadid became a police officer in 1953.[3] In 1976, he ran for sheriff of Peoria County. Running as a Democrat, with a Republican campaign manager, he became the first Democrat elected as Peoria County sheriff since 1892.[11] He took up the office of sheriff in December 1976.[4] The 1985 jail and sheriff's complex on Maxwell Road was built during his tenure.[4][12]
By 1993, Shadid was living near Edwards.[1] In 1993, the Illinois State Senate 46th Senate District seat was vacated by Richard Luft of Pekin when Luft was appointed Illinois Commissioner of Banks and Trusts.[3] Shadid was unanimously chosen as a replacement by Democratic leaders of the district,[3] and was appointed to the Illinois State Senate on May 13, 1993.[1] Al Meisner was appointed to replace Shadid as sheriff.[6]
Shadid retired from the Senate in December 2006[13] to allow his elected successor, Democrat David Koehler, to take office earlier.[2]
Personal life and death
George Shadid had two sons. James E. "Jim" Shadid, is a federal judge. George Shadid Jr., died in 2005.[7]
In 2013, Shadid donated his remaining campaign funds to Bradley University.[13][14] In November 2014, the Peoria County jail complex on Maxwell Road was named the George P. Shadid Law Enforcement Center.[12][15]
George Shadid died age 88 on February 3, 2018, of natural causes in Peoria.[7]