David Jackson and John McCormick, "Critics: Obama Endorsements Counter Calls For Clean Government," Chicago Tribune, 6/12/07

"It Was Also The Last Meeting For Another Of The Council's Most Recognizable Characters, [Chicago Alderman] Dorothy Tillman (3rd), Who Lost Her Seat In An April [2007] Runoff Election." (Dan Mihalopoulos, "'Resident Comedian' Has Last Laugh," Chicago Tribune, 5/10/07)

• "But Her Critics Said That While Tillman Was Long On Civil Rights, She Grew Out Of Touch With Ward Residents, Failing To Lure Retail Development Or Deliver Nuts-And-Bolts Services Expected Of An Alderman." (Mickey Ciokajlo, "Vote Tells Story: Tillman's Council Run Nearing End," Chicago Tribune, 4/18/07)

In 2008, "Former Chicago Alderman And Civil Rights Activist Dorothy Tillman Was Arrested And Charged… With Trespassing At A Hospital In Her Native Montgomery [Alabama]. The Arrest Came After A Confrontation With Officials At Jackson Hospital Over Access To Medical Records For Tillman's 86-Year-Old Aunt." (Kathy Chaney, "'Heavy Lifting' Required For Dowell In Her First Year As Alderman," Chicago Defender, 7/16/08)

"Last Year, Obama Disappointed Illinois Union Activists When He Endorsed The Re-Election Bid Of Then-3rd Ward Ald. Dorothy Tillman, Always A Lightning Rod For Controversy. Organized Labor Was Furious With Tillman For Backing The Entry Of Non-Union Wal-Mart Into The City, And She Lost To Challenger Pat Dowell -- A Longtime Friend Of Obama's Wife." (Bob Secter and John McCormick, "Sweet -- And Sour -- Home Chicago," Chicago Tribune, 6/23/08)

"Obama Endorsed Former Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd), Calling Her 'A Very Early Supporter Of My Campaign.' Tillman Was Then Under Fire For Her Stewardship Of The Scandal-Plagued Harold Washington Cultural Center, Where Contracts Benefited Members Of Her Family." (David Jackson and John McCormick, "Critics: Obama Endorsements Counter Calls For Clean Government," Chicago Tribune, 6/12/07)

• Obama: "Dorothy Tillman and Alexi Giannoulias were strong supporters of mine. There were no allegations that they had done anything illegal. And it was not a conflict for me to show my support for them." (David Jackson and John McCormick, "Critics: Obama Endorsements Counter Calls For Clean Government," Chicago Tribune, 6/12/07)