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'{{Multiple issues| {{tone|date=December 2013}} {{POV|date=December 2013}} }} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Marty Oberman |image = Marty_Oberman.jpg |alt = |nationality = |office1 = Chair of the [[Surface Transportation Board]] |president1 = [[Joe Biden]] |term_start1 = January 21, 2021 |term_end1 = |predecessor1 = Ann Begeman<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prod.stb.gov/about-stb/board-members/|title=Surface Transportation Board}}</ref> |successor1 = |office2 = Vice Chair of the [[Surface Transportation Board]] |president2 = [[Donald Trump]] |term_start2 = January 22, 2019 |term_end2 = January 21, 2021 |predecessor2 = [[Deb Miller]] |successor2 = Robert Primus<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prod.stb.gov/about-stb/board-members/|title=Surface Transportation Board}}</ref> |office3 = Member of the [[Surface Transportation Board]] |president3 = [[Donald Trump]]<br/>[[Joe Biden]] |term_start3 = January 22, 2019 |office4 = Member of the [[Chicago City Council]]<br/>from the 43rd ward |term_start4 = {{start date|1975}} |term_end4 = {{end date|1987}} |predecessor4 = [[William Singer]] |successor4 = [[Edwin Eisendrath]] |birth_name = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|04|23}} |birth_place = [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], [[Illinois]], U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |restingplace = |party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations--> |spouse = Bonnie Oberman <!--{{marriage|Bonnie Oberman|19XX}}--> |partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married--> |relations = |children = 2 |residence = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S. |alma_mater = [[Yale University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) |occupation = |profession = |committees = |signature = |signature_alt= |website = |footnotes = }} '''Martin J. Oberman''' (April 23, 1945) is an American government official and attorney who has served as a member of the [[Surface Transportation Board]] (STB) since 2019 and as STB chair since 2021. Born Martin Jay Oberman, he previously served as the chair of the board of directors at [[Metra]], the [[Chicago]] commuter rail system.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wanek-Libman |first=Mischa |date=2018-07-06 |title=Oberman nominated for STB slot |url=https://www.rtands.com/regulatory/oberman-nominated-for-stb-slot/ |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Railway Track and Structures |language=en-US}}</ref> Oberman was a [[Chicago City Council|Chicago City Councilman]], representing the 43rd Ward from 1975 to 1987. During his tenure, he earned a reputation as a reform leader, committed to promoting transparency in key governing processes while also working to reduce government corruption and profligate spending. He was an unsuccessful candidate for [[Illinois Attorney General]] in the 1981, 1986, and 1994 elections. ==Early life and education== Oberman's grandfather, Harry W. Oberman (March 25, 1888 – October 2, 1945), was born in [[Russia]] and immigrated to the United States in 1906.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1945 |title=Illinois State Journal VOL. 114: OFFERS PLAN TO END STRIKE |volume=114 |page=8 |work=Illinois State Journal |location=Springfield |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-14B057020FE32A26%402431731-14AAC917F6C29A86%407-14AAC917F6C29A86?clipid=dcxknvoxzosgcuncoyyteeeoloxbpapb_ip-10-166-46-149_1696538970862 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=Harry Oberman (...) died at 5. a. m. yesterday (...) Mr. Oberman was born March 25, 1888, in Russia and came to the United States in 1906. He entered the junk business a few years later and (...) became owner of the grocery store.}}</ref> Harry moved to [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]], [[Illinois]], where he married Oberman's grandmother Ida Oberman (''nee Graonick'') on June 20, 1909,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=June 21, 1909 |title=The Illinois State Journal VOL. 78: LEADING INCIDENTS IN CHINESE MISSION MURDER |volume=78 |page=6 |work=The Illinois State Journal |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-13DB23A4EA57F322%402418479-13D8D87633011031%405-13D8D87633011031?clipid=cgwtlgusgsjbiilimrnqdlkjucvovlix_ip-10-166-46-156_1696537795978 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=Oberman-Graonick--Married, at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon, June 20, 1909, at the Synagogue of the Congregation of B'Nal Abraham (...) Harry W. Oberman and Miss Ida Graonick...}}</ref> and opened a grocery store. Oberman's father, M. D. "Mush" Oberman, born Morris Davis Oberman, married Oberman's mother, Sophia Oberman (''nee Friedman''), on October 8, 1939.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1939 |title=Illinois State Journal VOL. 108: SOVIET-GERMAN PACT TO BE PUSHED |volume=108 |page=13 |work=Illinois State Journal |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-14ABD976D7ABDEAE%402429546-14AAC5060181E88C%4012-14AAC5060181E88C?clipid=qperqxhpiybgcbhxivydhxkqpyqlvncw_ip-10-166-46-87_1696540063436 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=Miss Sophia Gertrude Freidman, (...) became the bride of Morris David Oberman (...) yesterday.}}</ref> M. D. was active in Springfield community affairs, as well as being a supporter and organizer in the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1963 |title=Illinois State Journal VOL. 132, NO. 303: SOVIETS LET CONVOY PASS |volume=132 |page=5 |work=Illinois State Journal |issue=303 |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-1526586484732EC9%402438340-15250E67EC34633F%404-15250E67EC34633F?clipid=lgabgtlsvzvxrhigyipqhgrpttqtblzr_ip-10-166-46-149_1696530651878 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=M. D. (Mush) Oberman, (...) who is heading a drive for Howarth for the Republican nomination for secretary of state...}}</ref> Both Oberman's father and his grandfather were active in their local [[Jews|Jewish]] community, especially within the B'nai Abraham and B'nai B'rith [[Synagogue|synagogues]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 5, 1948 |title=Illinois State Journal and Register: SETS WORLD SPEED RECORD |page=6 |work=Illinois State Journal and Register |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-14CC123A1179D196%402432800-14CABAA482F4DD7A%405-14CABAA482F4DD7A?clipid=fzqaljnqedmobekwvvdhwmnwwsitoinz_ip-10-166-46-105_1696541007056 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=Installation of officers of the Emes Jodge, Bnai Brith of Springfield (...) The following were installed: (...) Morris D. Oberman, secretary...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 10, 1948 |title=Illinois State Journal VOL. 117: SENATE DEBATES DRAFT BILL |volume=117 |page=12 |work=Illinois State Journal |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-14CC68221DC416FE%402432713-14CABB5FE3906922%4011-14CABB5FE3906922?clipid=povbfgsvicliyltigibpqozinzcmtsdo_ip-10-166-46-145_1696540507173 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=B'nai Abraham Elects Officers (...) Elected as members of the board of directors were (...) Morris Oberman....}}</ref> At the age of 13, Martin Oberman was appointed as a [[United States House of Representatives Page|page]] in the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=January 8, 1959 |title=Illinois State Journal VOL. 128, NO. 49: POWELL WINS ON GOP SHIFT |language=English |volume=128 |page=3 |work=Illinois State Journal |issue=49 |location=Springfield |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-15286461013E51A4%402436577-1524C5B4819988DE%402-1524C5B4819988DE?clipid=adehjjlcjjwxeeyfxcbdtpzltxfnthhg_ip-10-166-46-149_1696528565461 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=Martin J. Oberman is serving as a page in the House of Representatives of the 86th Congress (...) he received his appointment while a superior honor student at Lawrence Junior High School. (...) Martin graduated from Culver Military Academy (...) and ranks in the top selection of his class in all subjects. |ref=Illinois State Journal Vol. 128, NO. 49}}</ref> Aside from the Capitol Page School, he attended Springfield's Butler Grade School, [[Springfield High School (Illinois)|Springfield High School]], and graduated valedictorian{{Citation needed|date=October 2023|reason=unable to locate any source that states he is valedictorian, only that he was in a "top selection" compared to his peers. either we find a citation or reword.}} from [[Culver Military Academy]] in 1962. <ref>{{Cite news |date=May 24, 1962 |title=Illinois State Journal VOL. 131, NO. 164: CARPENTER READY TO ORBIT |volume=131 |page=34 |work=Illinois State Journal |issue=164 |publication-place=Springfield |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-152B58FE19371D6B%402437809-1528C9B97148BD5E%4033-1528C9B97148BD5E?clipid=wvlmxncgqaqpauybrqwusznasfptszua_ip-10-166-46-86_1696529052413 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=...Martin Oberman, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Oberman (...), will graduate from Culver Military Academy, (...) on June 5.}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Oberman graduated from [[Yale University]] in 1966 with a [[Bachelor of Arts]]. During his time at Yale, he was a member of the freshman [[Yale Bulldogs|football team]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alsene |first=Ed |date=October 5, 1962 |title=Illinois State Journal VO. 131, NO. 276: Quotes And Notes |volume=131 |page=31 |work=Illinois State Journal |issue=276 |url=https://sj-r.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A13D09C142C972071%40NGPA-ILSJR-152B7231788060E5%402437943-1528D0C44A1E86BB%4030-1528D0C44A1E86BB%40?search_terms=%22martin%2Boberman%22%2Byale&text=%22martin%20oberman%22%20yale&date_from=1939&date_to=1967&pub%255B0%255D=13D09C142C972071&pdate=1962-10-05 |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 5, 2023 |quote=...Martin Oberman of Springfield is on the freshman football squad at Yale University...}}</ref> He then attended the [[University of Wisconsin Law School]], where he was a notes editor of the ''[[Wisconsin Law Review]]''. He graduated in 1969 with a [[Juris Doctor]] and [[Order of the Coif]] honors.<ref name=":0" /> ==Public service and politics== === Early work === After nearly three years (1969–1972) as a lawyer with the Chicago firm of Leibman, Williams, Bennett, Baird, and Minow,{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} Oberman became General Counsel to the Illinois Racing Board under [[Anthony Scariano]]. Oberman investigated and prosecuted various corrupt racing interests in License revocation proceedings for political payoffs, race-fixing and horse drugging.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023|reason=broad claims, no citation as proof. need citation}} === Chicago City Council === In 1975, Oberman was elected Alderman from Chicago's 43rd Ward. He had an adversarial relationship with the Chicago City Council's political majority. In 1979 and again in 1983, he was reelected as Alderman. Oberman was a member of the minority [[Independent politician|independent]] bloc of aldermen. He had a reputation as a reformer, and kept himself distanced from the city's [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[machine politics]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Oberman, along with fellow independent alderman [[Dick Simpson (politician)|Dick Simpson]], was one of only two aldermen to vote against the resolution appointing [[Michael Anthony Bilandic]] to hold the mayoralty after [[Richard J. Daley]]'s [[death in office]]. From 1983 to 1986, Marty supported Mayor [[Harold Washington]], Chicago's first African American mayor in the era of the [[Council Wars]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} He had been a supporter of Washington's mayoral candidacy. === Subsequent career === After leaving the City Council, Oberman was appointed Chairman of the Shore Protection Commission, which was tasked with doing a complete rehabilitation of Chicago's shoreline to ensure environmental protection. Oberman ran for [[Illinois Attorney General]] in [[1982 Illinois elections#Attorney General|1982]] (in which he was not on the ballot), [[1986 Illinois elections#Attorney General|1986]], and again in [[1994 Illinois elections#Attorney General|1994]]. He did not win any of these campaigns. In November 2013, he took his seat on the board of [[Metra]], the Chicago commuter rail system, as Mayor [[Rahm Emanuel]]'s appointee. On July 5, 2018, President [[Donald Trump]] announced he was seeking to appoint Oberman to the Democratic vacancy on the [[Surface Transportation Board|United States Surface Transportation Board]]. He was confirmed to the vacancy on January 3, 2019, by a voice vote in the United States Senate. In January 2019, he began a five-year term on the Surface Transportation Board. In January 2021, he was named the Chairman of the Board by President [[Joe Biden|Biden]]. In the [[2019 Chicago mayoral election]], Oberman endorsed [[Lori Lightfoot]], publicly declaring his support of her candidacy in advance of the first round of the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lightfootforchicago.com/press-release-former-clerk-david-orr-former-alds-dick-simpson-and-marty-oberman-endorse-lightfoot/|title=Former Clerk David Orr, Former Alds. Dick Simpson and Marty Oberman, endorse Lightfoot|date=February 20, 2019|format=Press release|website=Lightfoot for Chicago|accessdate=February 26, 2019|archive-date=February 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221224059/https://lightfootforchicago.com/press-release-former-clerk-david-orr-former-alds-dick-simpson-and-marty-oberman-endorse-lightfoot/|url-status=dead}}</ref> == Surface Transportation Board (STB) == On July 5, 2018, President [[Donald Trump]] announced he was seeking to appoint Oberman to the Democratic vacancy on the [[Surface Transportation Board|United States Surface Transportation Board]]. He was confirmed to the vacancy on January 3, 2019, by a voice vote in the United States Senate. Following [[Joe Biden]]'s [[Inauguration of Joe Biden|inauguration as President]] in 2021, Oberman was chosen to serve as chair of the STB.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-21 |title=President Biden Designates Martin Oberman as Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board » Freight Rail Customer Alliance |url=https://railvoices.org/president-biden-designates-martin-oberman-as-chairman-of-the-surface-transportation-board/ |access-date=2023-02-10 |website=railvoices.org |language=en-US}}</ref> ==Family life== Oberman lives in Chicago with his wife Bonnie Oberman, who was the Chicago Director of [[Facing History and Ourselves]].<ref>[http://www.facinghistory.org/news/community-conversation-with-marco-williams Community Conversation with Marco Williams | Facing History and Ourselves<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He has 2 children, Justin and Maren.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senate |url=https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/77F69A68-224B-4CF7-B978-09A595E6C134 |access-date=May 5, 2023}}</ref> ==References== <!--- See [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] on how to create references using <ref></ref> tags which will then appear here automatically --> {{Reflist}} <!--- Links to the same article in other languages - if the articles exist already --> <!--- see [[Help:Interlanguage links]] --> {{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{succession box | before = [[William Singer]] |title=Member of the [[Chicago City Council]]<br>43rd Ward |years=1975{{spaced ndash}}1987 | after = [[Edwin Eisendrath]] }} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}} {{short description|American government employee}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Oberman, Martin J.}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Yale University alumni]] [[Category:University of Wisconsin Law School alumni]] [[Category:Chicago City Council members]] [[Category:Illinois lawyers]] [[Category:1945 births]] [[Category:Surface Transportation Board personnel]]'