Robert McClory: Congressman and Bike Trail Namesake

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Robert McClory: Congressman and Bike Trail Namesake

Robert McClory (1908-1988) at left being interviewed.

Robert McClory on the campaign trail, sitting with constituents wearing ""McClory is my man"" buttons.

Robert McClory on the campaign trail, sitting with constituents wearing ""McClory is my man"" buttons.

Robert McClory with staff in his Congressional office.

Robert McClory with staff in his Congressional office.

Time Magazine, July 29, 1974 - Congressman McClory pictured at lower left.

Time Magazine, July 29, 1974 - Congressman McClory pictured at lower left.

Congressman Robert McClory receiving a Distinguished Service Award from the Americans for Constitutional Action, c. 1974.

Congressman Robert McClory receiving a Distinguished Service Award from the Americans for Constitutional Action, c. 1974.

Doris McClory.

Doris McClory.

Robert McClory Bike Path.

Robert McClory Bike Path.

Not many cyclists know the paved path parallel to the railroad tracks connecting downtown Lake Forest and Lake Bluff is officially the Robert McClory Bike Path. It is named for former U.S. Congressman Robert McClory, who began his career in government as Village Attorney for Lake Bluff. He then won election to the Illinois House in 1950, going on to serve in the State Senate from 1952 to 1960.
Several years later, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served the Illinois 12th/13th Congressional districts from 1963 until 1983. He became the second-ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate hearings.
McClory collapsed and died in 1988 of a heart attack. His widow, Doris, worked eight years to rename the Lake County Bike Path the “Robert McClory Bike Path” since he was an avid bicyclist. It runs from the Wisconsin border through Lake County and ends at the Cook County line.