Dedication

The third edition is dedicated to our friend and research collaborator, Professor Emeritus Raymond Tatalovich, Loyola University, Chicago.  Sadly, Ray passed away in June, 2023 one week shy of his 80th birthday.  He is greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and former students.

This book would likely never have taken form without Ray’s generous recommendation.  Several years ago, when asked by a publisher to write a book on state and local government, Ray declined due to his many research commitments; however, Ray strongly recommended that the publisher invite his long-time friends and research collaborators to co-author a state and local government textbook—those friends turned out to be the three of us (Simon, Steel, and Lovrich).

Over the years, Ray kept tabs on us and we regularly invited his input into our text development and content.  He was always there for us.  He will always be with us in spirit, inspiring us to be better writers, researchers, innovators.