Volunteer reporter Elizabeth Ellis caught up with author and analyst Jim Nowlan during his visit to John A. Logan College for the Social Science Speaker Series and Civic Leadership Academy. He delivered a keynote on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, noon to 1 p.m., in the Ivey Room at the JALC Conference Center, centered on his recent book, Politics: The Starter Kit, How to Succeed in Politics and Government (2023). In the quick sit-down, Nowlan boiled campaigning down to the essentials: “Canvas the territory… identify the voters… and get them to the polls, that’s still basically what campaigning is all about.”

Nowlan has spent more than 50 years interpreting Illinois politics. He served as a senior aide to Governors Richard Ogilvie, James R. Thompson, and Jim Edgar, and as acting director for two Illinois agencies. He is a prolific author and a sought-after columnist on state government and public affairs.

Credits: Camera: Jaden Patterson, Macy Glasser, Ashton Fox, Ruby Medina. Editing: Corbin Frattini.