Gunther Stiller
German, born 1927Adlai Stevenson’s Cat Bill Veto, 1989
Not on view
Woodcut on paper
Dimensions14 11/16 × 10 in. (37.3 × 25.4 cm)
Gift of Mr. Jack B. Pierson in memory of Mr. Robert Martin Purcell, 1992.16
Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) was an American politician and diplomat known for his eloquent and witty demeanor. He served as the 31st governor of Illinois from 1949 to 1953 and was the Democratic nominee for the president of the United States in 1952 and 1954, losing both elections to Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1949 Senate Bill 93, known as “An Act to Provide Protection to Insectivorous Birds by Restraining Cats,” was introduced in Illinois, essentially requiring cats to be leashed when outdoors. Using a mixture of logic and wit, Stevenson vetoed the bill. Artist Gunther Stiller has immortalized Stevenson’s words in this print. His veto was not overridden and thus the bill never became a law. Since then, Illinois has never enacted another law regarding the restraint of felines.
