# Doug Kane

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**Douglas Kane** is an American politician, economist, and author who served as a [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) member of the [Illinois House of Representatives](/source/Illinois_House_of_Representatives) from 1975 to 1983.

## Early life

Kane earned a [B.A.](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in English, a [M.S.](/source/Master_of_Science) in journalism, and a [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) in economics, all from the [University of Illinois](/source/University_of_Illinois_Urbana-Champaign). He worked for Democratic house staff and Governor [Dan Walker](/source/Dan_Walker_(politician)) and was a delegate for [Edmund Muskie](/source/Edmund_Muskie) at the [1972 Democratic National Convention](/source/1972_Democratic_National_Convention). He was elected to the [Capital Township Board of Auditors](/source/Springfield,_Illinois#Township) in 1969 and served a single four-year term.[1]

## Illinois House of Representatives

In the 1974 general election, Kane was elected to the [Illinois House of Representatives](/source/Illinois_House_of_Representatives) as one of three members from the 50th district, which included [Sangamon](/source/Sangamon_County,_Illinois) and [Montgomery](/source/Montgomery_County,_Illinois) counties,[2] along with Republican [J. David Jones](/source/J._David_Jones) and fellow Democrat [James T. Londrigan](/source/James_T._Londrigan). Kane represented the [Springfield](/source/Springfield,_Illinois) area from 1975 to 1983.[3][4][5]

## Post-legislative career in Illinois

In 1983, Kane became the executive director of the EPTOW Coalition, a joint effort between Illinois Railroads Association, the Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois, the League of Women Voters of Illinois and the Illinois Environmental Council, to create a user fee for truck drivers to cover the costs of repairs resulting from an increased weight limit.[6] He also served as Deputy Auditor General for a time in the 1980s.[7]

In the [1986 congressional election](/source/1986_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections), Kane successfully ran for the Democratic nomination as a write-in candidate before opting not to be a candidate in the general election. Local party leaders appointed James Dawson, a member of the [Tazewell County Board](/source/Tazewell_County,_Illinois), to be the nominee.[8] In 1992, Kane ran for the [Illinois Senate](/source/Illinois_Senate) against State Representative [Karen Hasara](/source/Karen_Hasara) to represent the newly drawn 50th district which included [Sangamon](/source/Sangamon_County,_Illinois) and [Menard](/source/Menard_County,_Illinois) counties as well as the eastern half of [Cass County](/source/Cass_County,_Illinois).[9][10]

## Move to Wisconsin

In 1995, Kane and his wife [Kathleen Vinehout](/source/Kathleen_Vinehout) moved to [Alma, Wisconsin](/source/Alma,_Wisconsin) to pursue farming. In 2006, Vinehout was elected to the [Wisconsin State Senate](/source/Wisconsin_State_Senate).[11] In 2014, Kane was elected to the [Buffalo County, Wisconsin](/source/Buffalo_County,_Wisconsin) Board of Supervisors and is the chairman of the board.[12] He served for a time on the school board in [Alma, Wisconsin](/source/Alma,_Wisconsin).[13]

Kane is an economist and President of Program Analysis Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in economic and public policy issues. One of his current clients is the Office of Management and Budget of the [State of Illinois](/source/State_of_Illinois) that sought his help with the economic effects of the gross receipts tax.[14][15]

Kane's book *Our Politics: Reflections on Political Life* was published in 2019 by [Southern Illinois University Press](/source/Southern_Illinois_University_Press).[16] It describes the travails of public office and the political, economic, and social forces that shape political decision-making. He publishes weekly articles on the blog *View from a Distance*.[17]

## References

1. Howlett, Michael (ed.). ["The 79th General Assembly"](http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/36230). *Illinois Blue Book*. [Springfield, Illinois](/source/Springfield,_Illinois): [Illinois Secretary of State](/source/Illinois_Secretary_of_State). p. 171. Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. [*Illinois Blue Book 1975-1976*](http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/bb/id/36249). p. 190. Retrieved June 7, 2021.

1. 'Illinois Blue Book 1981-1982,' Biographical Sketch of Representative Douglas N. Kane, pg. 169

1. Ross, Diane (January 1980). ["Sales tax issue steals the show"](http://www.lib.niu.edu/1980/ii800130.html). Legislative Action. Retrieved March 31, 2012.

1. Steinbacher-Kemp, Bill (October 1992). ["Republicans push for majority in Senate, House"](http://www.lib.niu.edu/1992/ii921027.html). Legislative Action. Retrieved March 31, 2012.

1. Ross, Diane. ["EPTOW coalition: make trucks pay more"](https://www.lib.niu.edu/1983/ii830704.html). *Illinois Issues*. **8** (7): 4–5. [Sangamon State University](/source/Sangamon_State_University). Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. Wojcicki, Ed (ed.). ["Kunzeman Named Deputy Auditor General"](https://www.lib.niu.edu/1993/ii930330.html). *Illinois Issues*. **19** (3): 32. [Sangamon State University](/source/Sangamon_State_University). Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. "Pekin Man Picked To Run Against Michel in 18th District". *[The State Journal-Register](/source/The_State_Journal-Register)*. May 20, 1986. – via [NewsBank](/source/NewsBank)

1. Bodily, Amyllen. ["Redistricting: A Process Under Fire"](https://www.lib.niu.edu/1992/ii920324.html). *Illinois Issues*. **18** (3): 25. [Sangamon State University](/source/Sangamon_State_University). Retrieved June 4, 2021.

1. Wheeler III, Charles N (1992-11-30). ["Redistricting '91: the World Series of Illinois politics"](http://www.lib.niu.edu/1992/ii921110.html). *Illinois Issues*. Northern Illinois University Libraries. Retrieved 2014-02-17.

1. Walters, Steven (July 14, 2007). "Health care hits home for lawmaker; Democrat pushing universal plan footed big bill for son's care". *[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel)*

1. [Buffalo County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors-Douglas Kane](http://www.buffalocounty.com/Douglas%20Kane.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141006071423/http://www.buffalocounty.com/Douglas%20Kane.htm) October 6, 2014 at the Wayback Machine

1. Kane, Douglas (March 9, 2010). ["Will lower taxes really bring more jobs?"](http://lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/article_e41e1780-2b6d-11df-b151-001cc4c03286.html). LaCrosse Tribune. Retrieved March 31, 2012.

1. ["About me: Douglas Kane"](http://www.blogger.com/profile/01559906498728143299). Blogger. Retrieved March 31, 2012.

1. Kane, Douglas (April 21, 2007). ["taxtales: Be Wary of New Friends"](https://taxtales.blogspot.com/2007/04/be-wary-of-new-friends.html). Taxtales.blogspot.com. Retrieved March 31, 2012.

1. ["About – View From A Distance"](https://www.dougkane.com/about/). *www.dougkane.com*. Retrieved 2021-01-11.

1. ["View From A Distance – Doug Kane"](https://www.dougkane.com/). *www.dougkane.com*. Retrieved 2021-01-11.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Doug Kane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Kane) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Kane?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.