10 Facts About Dave O'Neal

David Courtland O'Neal was an American law enforcement officer and politician who served as the 41st Lieutenant Governor of Illinois from 1977 to 1981.

Dave O'Neal graduated from St Louis College of Pharmacy and was a former ministerial student and United States Marine.

Dave O'Neal served as a member of the executive and economic development committees of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors and the governing boards of McKendree University in Lebanon, and the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy.

Dave O'Neal is the recipient of the Illinois Wisconsin States Association of Elks Humanitarian of the Year and East Saint Louis Model Cities Program Meritorious Services Award and was named Outstanding Young Republican of the United States in 1975 and Outstanding Young Republican of Illinois in 1971.

Lieutenant Governor Dave O'Neal devoted much effort to overseeing the Senior Legislative Forum, a legislative advocacy group he created to aid senior citizens throughout Illinois.

Dave O'Neal worked closely with the State's two Senior Action Centers, which provides assistance with the elderly and disabled.

Dave O'Neal has served as vice-chairman of the Governor's Energy Advisory Council, ex officio member of the Council on Aging, and a member of the Commission on Inter-Governmental Cooperation.

In 1980 Dave O'Neal sought the Republican nomination for the US Senate winning the nomination to go on to the general election.

Dave O'Neal resigned as Lieutenant Governor in 1981, claiming that he was just bored.

Dave O'Neal died on July 10,2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at age 84.