| Order | 66th Treasurer of Illinois |
|---|---|
| Governor | Jim Thompson |
| Term start | January 10, 1977 |
| Term end | January 8, 1979 |
| Predecessor | Alan J. Dixon |
| Successor | Jerome Cosentino |
| Birth date | November 13, 1926 |
| Birth place | Illinois, U.S. |
| Death date | February 4, 1982 (aged 55) |
| Death place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
Donald R. Smith (November 13, 1926 – February 4, 1982)[1] was an American politician.
Smith graduated from York High School in Elmhurst, Illinois and then joined the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II and served until 1946. He went to Loyola University Chicago and John Marshall Law School In Chicago, Illinois. He served as County Treasurer of DuPage County, Illinois and served on the DuPage County Commission. He was a Republican. From 1965 until 1977, Smith served as chief fiscal officer in the office of the Illinois Treasurer. In 1977, he was appointed Illinois Treasurer when Alan J. Dixon resigned to serve as Illinois Secretary of State. Smith served until 1979.[2]
On February 4, 1982, Smith was found murdered in the Radisson Hotel on North Michigan Avenue. His hands were tied, towel had been stuffed into his mouth, and he had been strangled to death.[3][4][5] On February 5, 1982, two suspects held for questioning in the death of Smith were released by the police after passing polygraph tests.[6]
Notes
- ^ 'Illinois, Cook County, Deaths, Entry Number: 602676
- ^ 'Illinois Blue Book 1977-1978,' Biographical Sketch of Donald Smith, pg. 28-29
- ^ "Former state Treasurer Donald R. Smith, his hands tied... - UPI Archives". UPI. 1982-02-04. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
- ^ 'AROUND THE NATION; Ex-Treasurer of Illinois Is Found Slay In Hotel,' New York Times, February 5, 1982
- ^ 'State's chief fiscal aide slain; 2 men sough for questioning,' Henry Wood and Lynn Emmerman , Chicago Tribune, February 5, 1982, pg. 1, 18
- ^ Wattley, Philip (February 6, 1982). "2 quizzed in death of state aid". The Chicago Tribune.