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Howard Tullman, Hillary Clinton have another thing in common
1871 CEO Howard Tullman finds common ground with Hillary Clinton, who was in Chicago to receive the Order of Lincoln award.
Howard Tullman, a Chicago entrepreneur and longtime supporter of left-leaning politicos, found more common ground with Hillary Clinton, who was in town over the weekend to receive the Order of Lincoln award.
Mr. Tullman is CEO of 1871, an incubator for tech startups in the Merchandise Mart. Ms. Clinton knows the building from her past. “She told me her dad's office was in the Merchandise Mart,” he said after the May 3 event.
Ms. Clinton — former U.S. secretary of state, U.S. senator, first lady and expected presidential candidate in 2016 — was awarded what's considered the state's highest honor by Gov.Pat Quinn. Seven other current and former Illinoisans were honored as well, including Madison Dearborn Partner LLC Chairman John Canning and former UAL Corp. CEO Glenn Tilton.
Ms. Clinton's late father, Hugh Rodham, raised his family in Park Ridge and worked in the fabrics industry. His Rodrik Fabrics in the Mart made drapes and shades for offices, hotels and airlines, according to Ms. Clinton's biography.
“It's such a small world," Mr. Tullman said. "I told her about my job running 1871 and that (Facebook Inc. COO) Sheryl Sandberg had come to visit. I said the only bigger 'get' would be if she (Hillary) would think of coming to see us.”
Ms. Clinton has not committed — “yet,” he told me.
Mr. Tullman has been a longtime friend and political supporter of Ms. Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.Mr. Tullman and his wife, Judy, were among attendees at an exclusive dinner at the White House to celebrate the millennium in 2000. And they were listed among supporters who in 2000 got a chance to sleep at the White House.
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