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Home , Adam Kinzinger, Bobby Rush, Bob Dold, Dan Lipinski, Darin LaHood, Mike Bost

Congressman (R-IL-12)

Rep. Mike Bost is proud to represent the 12 counties of ’ 12th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sworn in to office on January 6, 2015, Mike is continuing the fight for our Southern Illinois’ values in Washington – a fight he began in U.S. military, then as a first responder, a local job creator, and a state representative. In the 114th Congress, Rep. Bost serves on three key committees: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and Small Business. Mike also serves on the following Subcommittees: Conservation and Forestry, and General Farm Comodities and Risk Management under Agriculture; Economic Opportunity, and Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs under Veterans' Affairs; and Health and Technology, and Investigations, Oversight and Regulations under Small Business. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Bost served for two decades in the Illinois House of Representatives, rising to the leadership position of House Republican Caucus Chair.

Rep. Bost also served as a firefighter for the Murphysboro Fire Department. He graduated from the University of Illinois' Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993 and continued to serve the Murphysboro Fire Department during his six terms as state representative. Prior to that, Rep. Bost worked for 13 years at Bost Trucking Service, first as a driver and then for 10 years as a truck manager. Rep. Bost is a lifelong resident of Murphysboro. He graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1979. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps serving his country from 1979 to 1982. He was trained as an electronic specialist and radar repairman and received an honorable discharge as a Corporal E-4. In addition to his duties as a , Rep. Bost is very active in his church and community. Rep. Bost and his wife, Tracy, own and operate a small business – the White House Salon – in Murphysboro.

Mike and Tracy have three children – Steven, Kasey Fred and Kaitlin Rose. They have two sons- in-law, Travis Fred and Chad Rose, a daughter-in-law, Betsy, and ten grandchildren.

Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL-7)

Danny K. Davis was chosen by the people of the 7th Congressional District of Illinois as their Representative in Congress on November 5, 1996. He has been re-elected by large majorities to succeeding Congresses.

In the 113th Congress, Representative Davis serves on Oversight and Government Reform including subcommittees: Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs; Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements; and Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Committee on Ways and Means including the Subcommittee on Oversight. Congressman Davis is a member of several Congressional Caucuses including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Progressive Caucus, the Urban Caucus, the Community Health Center's Caucus, and the Congressional Sugar Caucus.

Congressman Davis has distinguished himself as an articulate voice for his constituents and as an effective legislator able to move major bills to passage. He has developed a unique and energetic style of communication and interaction with his constituents setting up dozens of advisory task forces to consider significant questions of public policy. He hosts several weekly television and radio shows which feature audience call in and produces regular written reports to every household in the district. In addition, he maintains weekly office hours in the district and is widely sought after as a speaker at district events.

In the 113th Congress Representative Davis has indicated a focus on issues of job creation, poverty, health care, education, youth and criminal justice reform.

Prior to his election to the Congress he served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners having been elected in November 1990 and reelected in November 1994. Previously, he served for eleven years as a member of the City Council as Alderman of the 29th Ward.

Before seeking public office Congressman Davis had productive careers as an educator, community organizer, health planner/administrator and civil rights advocate. He has received hundreds of awards and citations for outstanding work in the areas of health, education, human relations, politics and advocacy including six honorary Doctorate Degrees from well known Colleges and Universities. He has traveled extensively throughout the and has spent time in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and in South and Central America.

Born in Parkdale, Arkansas, on September 6, 1941, Congressman Davis moved to the Westside of Chicago in 1961, after having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas A.M. & N. College. He subsequently earned both Masters and Doctorate degrees respectively from Chicago State University and the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He is married to Vera G. Davis, has two sons, Jonathan and Stacey, and is a member and Deacon of the New Galilee M.B. Church.

Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL-13)

Rodney Davis was recently sworn into his second term in Congress serving the 13th District of Illinois, a 14-county district covering both urban and rural areas of Central and Southwestern Illinois. Prior to being elected, Rodney served as Projects Director for Congressman (IL-15) for 16 years helping Illinois citizens and communities cut through government red tape and secure federal funding.

For the 114th Congress, Rodney will serve on the House Agriculture Committee, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the House Administration Committee. He has also been appointed to serve as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.

During his first term in Congress, Rodney has established himself as an effective lawmaker who is able to work with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation. Serving on both the House Agriculture Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has allowed Rodney to be a leader on issues essential to commerce in Illinois. He was the only member of the 113th Congress to serve on two conference committees tasked with bridging the gap between the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill and water resources legislation.

Rodney’s work on the Farm Bill helped Congress produce a five-year bill that provides certainty to our farmers, strengthens crop insurance and cuts $23 billion in spending. Additionally, Rodney led the way to ensure farmers, who understand agriculture better than anyone, have a seat at the table when the EPA creates new rules and regulations impacting the agriculture industry.

While working to reform the Water Resources and Development Act, Rodney was successful in including language that allows the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to partner with private businesses to complete projects needed to improve our waterways. This initiative and other streamlining provisions to cut the approval process for projects from 15 years to 3 years will save millions of taxpayer dollars and significantly improve our nation’s ability to move goods and products to market.

Rodney’s first term in Congress has demonstrated his ability to lead even in a divided government – being the first freshman this Congress to have legislation signed into law. Furthermore, the Hire More Heroes Act, his bill to help small businesses hire more of our nation’s veterans, overwhelmingly passed the House with more than 400 supporting votes. Rodney has worked with his colleagues to ensure a more efficient, effective government for generations to come.

Rodney resides in Taylorville with his wife, Shannon, and their three children, Toryn, Clark and Griffin. He continues to coach Taylorville Junior Football and his son’s Little League team.

Congressman Robert Dold (R-IL-10)

Congressman is currently in his second term serving the people of Illinois’ 10th Congressional District. A native of northern Illinois, Bob was born at Evanston Hospital and grew up with his three sisters in the same house where his parents still reside. Like his father, Bob graduated from New Trier High School. After high school, he continued a family tradition and earned a B.A. from Denison University. He later earned a law degree from Indiana University, where he was selected by his classmates to give the commencement address, and a Masters in Business Administration from ’s Kellogg School of Management. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2010, Bob served as President of his family’s business, Rose Pest Solutions, the oldest pest management company in the United States, which serves families and businesses throughout the 10th District and beyond. Recognizing that it was time to lead, Bob first ran for Congress in 2010 and was elected that year to serve the 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his first term he served on the prestigious Committee on Financial Services and amassed a record as one of the most effective, independent and bipartisan members of the 112th Congress. He was deemed the most effective freshman in Congress at advancing his legislative agenda. After a two-year break in service, Bob was again elected to represent Illinois' 10th District in Congress in November of 2014 and was sworn in as a member of the 114th Congress in January of 2015. He serves on the Committee on Ways and Means, which is the chief tax-writing committee of the . Serving on the committee gives the Tenth District an even larger role in advancing solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face. Bob is committed to advancing bipartisan legislation to grow the economy, protect our environment, and ensure the safety and security of America’s homeland, as well that of our greatest ally, Israel. Bob and his wife Danielle are the proud parents of three children – Harper, Bobby and Honor. Bob is also an active member of his local community, having served as the scoutmaster for Troop 13 Senior Scouts over the past 14 years – the same troop where he became an Eagle Scout. The Scouts have had a profound impact on Bob; their ideals of integrity, personal responsibility and community leadership guide him as an individual and as apublic servant. Bob has served on the Board for the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County and volunteered his time as a board member for the Northeast Illinois Council for the Boy Scouts of America. Bob also has been active with the Honor Flight program, which is committed to ensuring that those who so bravely served this country in World War II have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. and visit the WWII Memorial. Congresswoman (D-IL-8)

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth is an War Veteran and former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. She was re-elected to represent Illinois’ 8th Congressional District in 2014 and was sworn in for her second term on January 6, 2015. Duckworth attended college at the University of Hawaii and then went on to the George Washington University, where she earned a Masters of Arts in International Affairs. Following graduation, Duckworth, who is fluent in Thai and Indonesian, moved to Illinois, where she began pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science at Northern Illinois University. While at NIU she also worked at the School of Nursing, researching public health and environmental causes of cancer. Later, Duckworth worked for Rotary International as a manager for administration of Rotary clubs in the Asia Pacific Region. In 2004, Duckworth was deployed to Iraq as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the Illinois Army National Guard. She was one of the first Army women to fly combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom until her helicopter was hit by an RPG on November 12, 2004. Duckworth lost her legs and partial use of her right arm and was awarded a Purple Heart. Duckworth spent the next year recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center where she quickly became an advocate for her fellow Soldiers and testified before Congress about caring for our Veterans and wounded warriors. Following her recovery, Duckworth ran for Congress in 2006. After a narrow loss, she became Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. She worked to create a tax credit for employers who hired Veterans, established a first-in-the-nation 24/7 Veterans crisis hotline, and developed innovative programs to improve Veterans’ access to housing and health care. In 2009, President Obama appointed Duckworth to be Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs. At VA, Duckworth led an initiative to end Veterans homelessness. She created the Office of Online Communications to improve the VA’s accessibility, especially among young Veterans, and also worked to address the unique challenges that Native American and female Veterans face. Duckworth lives in Hoffman Estates with her husband Bryan, an Army Major, and their daughter Abigail. Since her recovery, Duckworth has resumed flying as a civilian pilot. Fulfilling a promise she made at Walter Reed, she has also completed several marathons. Duckworth recently completed her Ph.D in Human Services at Capella University. In her spare time, she volunteers at local food pantries and enjoys couponing and flea markets. Duckworth served in the Army Reserve Forces for 23 years until she announced her retirement at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. In her first term, Duckworth was appointed to the Armed Services Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Select Committee on Benghazi. She introduced various pieces of legislation, including bills that assist Veterans in their transition to the private sector, cut waste and fraud at the Pentagon and throughout government, extend maternity leave for women serving in the military, reduce fines for federal paperwork infractions made by small businesses and eliminate abuses in the Veterans benefit system. In February 2013, Duckworth took a voluntary 8.4% pay reduction, the same percentage that most discretionary programs were cut as a result of the sequester. In total, she gave back more than $10,000 of her own pay to the U.S. Treasury to help reduce the debt. She also returned $113,918.54 in congressional office funds to the United States Treasury in her first year in Congress. Duckworth continues to be a strong voice for her neighbors in Congress, advocating for the practical solutions and cooperation that is needed to move our country forward.

Congressman (D-IL-11)

Congressman Bill Foster is a scientist and businessman representing the 11th Congressional District of Illinois. He previously served from March 2008 until January 2011 as the Representative of the Illinois 14th Congressional District. Foster is the only physicist in Congress.

Foster serves on the House Committee on Financial Services, a position he also held in the 110th and 111th Congress, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Foster participated in the creation of several important reforms in the financial services and housing sectors, most notably the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Serving on the committee will provide Foster with an opportunity to ensure the effective implementation of these reforms, and to advocate for the needs of his constituents as the committee considers additional financial service and housing related proposals.

Bill's business career began at age 19 when he and his younger brother co-founded Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc., a company that now manufactures over half of the theater lighting equipment in the United States.

Bill's scientific career was as a high-energy physicist and particle accelerator designer at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). Bill was a member of the team that discovered the top quark, the heaviest known form of matter. He also led the teams that designed and built several scientific facilities and detectors still in use today, including the Recycler Ring, the latest of Fermilab's giant particle accelerators. When Bill first ran for Congress, his campaign was endorsed by 31 Nobel Prize Winners.

Bill lives in Naperville with his wife Aesook, who is also a physicist. Bill has two grown children, Billy and Christine. Bill's father was a civil rights lawyer who wrote much of the enforcement language behind the . Congressman (R-IL-14)

Born and raised in Illinois, and having spent more than 15 years serving Illinois and its citizens at multiple levels of government, Congressman Randy Hultgren represents the state’s 14th Congressional District. The district is comprised of seven suburban counties including McHenry, Lake, Kendall, Kane, DuPage, DeKalb and Will. In Washington, Congressman Hultgren has committed himself to working for fiscal sanity, real healthcare reform, and pro-growth policies that will put Americans back to work. In the current 114th Congress, Randy serves on the Financial Services and Science, Space & Technology Committees. Randy was elected to the DuPage County Board and County Forest Preserve Board in 1994, to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1999, and to the in 2007. At every level, he has fought for prosperity and free enterprise and for smaller, smarter government. Randy served on the Financial Institutions Committees in the Illinois House and Senate and is credentialed in FINRA Series 7, 6 and 63. He later became a Vice President at Performance Trust Investment Advisors in Chicago. Randy was born March 1, 1966 in Park Ridge, Illinois. He graduated from Bethel College in 1988 and later attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating in 1993. He currently resides in Plano with his wife, Christy, and four children.

Congresswoman (D-IL-2)

Congresswoman Robin Kelly is honored to represent the citizens of Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. Since her election in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity and promote public safety, sponsoring numerous bills to generate job growth and end gun violence.

As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Kelly serves on key committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee and its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

She also serves on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the main investigative body of the House, which oversees federal government operations and works to reduce waste, fraud and abuse. In addition, she serves as ranking member on the Subcommittee on Information Technology and serves on the Subcommittee on National Security, working to protect our nation’s cyber security and defend our borders.

Representative Kelly is a member of seven House Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Women’s Caucus and the General Aviation Caucus. She currently chairs the CBC’s Healthcare Braintrust, which works to address health disparities and improve health outcomes for all Americans. A particular area of focus for the Congresswoman as Health Braintrust Chair is dental care as she strives to increase oral health care opportunities for children, senior citizens and residents of underserved communities.

Having served at every level of government, Kelly brings extensive legislative and leadership experience to the 2nd District. She began her government service as community relations director in the Village of Matteson. She was later elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and sponsored bills supporting economic development, increasing the minimum wage and protecting consumers from fraud. She also led the fight for landmark legislation to protect victims of domestic violence and improve public safety.

Kelly continued her public career by serving as chief of staff of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. In this role, she pursued a progressive agenda rooted in promoting small business job creation, improving efficiencies and advancing financial literacy in underserved areas. Prior to her election to Congress, Kelly was chief administrative officer of Cook County, the second largest county in the United States.

Kelly serves on a number of boards, including the Northern Illinois University Political Science Advisory Board, Rich Township Food Pantry, and the Board of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, a bipartisan, nonprofit research and advocacy think-tank that works to promote social and economic justice. She is also a Bradley University Trustee and in 2009 was inducted into Bradley’s Centurion Society for honored alumni. She is also an active member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

A New York native, Kelly moved to Illinois after high school to attend Bradley in Peoria, where she earned her B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in counseling. She later received a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University. She lives in Matteson with her husband, Dr. Nathaniel Horn, and has two adult children, Kelly and Ryan. Congressman (R-IL-16)

Adam Kinzinger was first sworn into the United States House of Representatives in January 2011. He serves as the Representative for the Sixteenth Congressional District of Illinois and is a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. In addition, he served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee during the 113th Congress.

As a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee, Kinzinger’s top priorities include strengthening U.S. energy policy and making our nation less reliant on foreign resources. The Sixteenth District is home to four nuclear power plants, miles of windmills, hydropower plants, and ethanol and biodiesel plants. The nuclear energy production alone employs more than 2,500 people throughout the 16th, and coal and natural gas energy are also vital to the district. With such rich energy resources, Kinzinger’s focus is on advancing energy production throughout the 16th district and the United States.

Having served in the Air Force in both Iraq and , another priority for Kinzinger is national security. Kinzinger has always been a strong supporter of U.S. leadership in the Middle East, and he was among the first members of Congress to call for airstrikes against ISIS. He continues to focus on eradicating this threat overtaking the region.

Kinzinger serves as a Deputy Republican Whip. At the age of 37, Kinzinger is one of the youngest Members of Congress and was named one of Time Magazine's 40 under 40 “Rising stars in American politics.” Kinzinger’s goal as a Member of Congress is increased accessibility to his constituents throughout the Sixteenth District, which is essential to develop and grow public trust. In his ongoing efforts to be an accessible and transparent representative, Kinzinger strives to provide constituents with an open and direct line of communication to their federal government.

Education and Early Career

Adam Kinzinger became active in his community early on. As a 20-year old sophomore at Illinois State University (ISU), he challenged a three-term incumbent for the McLean County Board. Kinzinger advocated for restoring local government back into the hands of the people and won a seat on the board, becoming one of the youngest county board members in McLean County history.

During his service on the board, Kinzinger fought for the people’s priorities—opposing pay raises for elected officials, fighting against taxes on small businesses, and supporting measures for increased transparency and public participation in county government. He made constituent services a top priority and was easily accessible to all members of his community, something he proudly continues as a member of Congress.

Kinzinger earned his undergraduate degree from ISU in 2000. He served on the McLean County Board from 1998-2003.

Military Experience

After serving on the McLean County Board for five years, Kinzinger joined the . He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in November 2003 and later awarded his pilot wings. He has served in the Air Force Special Operations, , , and Air National Guard. He has the current rank of Major.

Kinzinger continues to serve his country as a pilot in the Air National Guard, balancing his service with his busy schedule as a Member of Congress.

Awards and Honors

Kinzinger has been recognized for his civic service both in and out of uniform.

In 2007, he received the United States Air Force Airman's Medal for saving the life of a young woman who was being violently attacked. He wrestled the knife away from the attacker and pinned him to the ground until the police arrived. He was also awarded the National Guard's Valley Forge Cross for Heroism and was selected as the Southeastern Wisconsin American Red Cross Hero of the Year.

Kinzinger has earned the Air Medal six times serving in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Family

Adam Kinzinger’s roots run deep across Illinois. He was born in Kankakee, grew up in Bloomington, and now resides in Channahon. His mother, Jodi, is a retired elementary schoolteacher, and his father Rus is a former CEO of two faith-based organizations. His parents instilled in him and his two siblings the importance of hard work and responsiveness through public service to the needs of those throughout our communities.

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL-18)

Congressman Darin LaHood, born and raised in Peoria, serves the constituents of the 18th District of Illinois. Sworn into the US House of Representatives on September 17, 2015, LaHood quickly transitioned into office after his special-election win on September 10.

The 18th district spans 19 counties across central and west-central Illinois, ranging from McLean County (Bloomington-Normal) to Adams County (Quincy). LaHood represents the largest territory in the Illinois delegation and serves close to 710,000 constituents.

Prior to his recent election to Congress, LaHood served four years in the Illinois State Senate, beginning in 2011. LaHood spent more than nine years as a State and Federal Prosecutor. From 2001-2006, he worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada. LaHood has also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County and Tazewell County. From 2006 up until his election to the House of Representatives, he practiced with the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs.

LaHood’s record throughout his public service has resonated a strong, conservative record, promoting economic development and fiscal responsibility. LaHood has been an outspoken advocate for creating a better business climate in Illinois to boost the state and national economy, to create jobs for Illinoisans. LaHood currently serves on the Natural Resources Committee and Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Recognizing the need for reform, LaHood has fought to increase transparency and promote ethical behavior. Since taking office, he casted his vote for Paul Ryan for Speaker of the House, believing Ryan’s leadership will bring common sense, Midwestern values back to Washington. He looks to build a strong, pro-growth economy, while fighting to reduce a terrific deficit that threatens the future of our children and grandchildren.

LaHood, a third generation Peorian, graduated from Spalding High School. He earned a B.A. from Loras College and holds a J.D. from The John Marshall Law School. In 2013, he was selected as an Edgar Fellow, a program run by former Governor Jim Edgar, which highlights future Illinois leaders. In 2008, LaHood was recognized in Peoria as a 40 Leaders Under Forty award winner. An avid runner, he has completed five marathons. Congressman LaHood and his wife Kristen currently reside in Dunlap and are the proud parents of three sons, McKay, Lucas, and Teddy.

Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL-3)

Dan Lipinski is a proud native of Illinois’ Third Congressional District, which includes parts of the southwest side of Chicago, southwest Cook County, and northeastern Will County. Now in his sixth term, Rep. Lipinski has distinguished himself as a champion of the middle class. He is a leader on transportation issues, the promotion of American manufacturing, job creation through research and technological innovation, strengthening Buy American laws, restoring fiscal responsibility, and honoring America’s veterans and seniors. He has earned a reputation as a legislator who brings people together to solve problems, even during historic congressional gridlock.

Rep. Lipinski is the most senior member from Illinois on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, serving on three subcommittees: Aviation; Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; and Highways and Transit.

On the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congressman Lipinski is the third most senior Democrat and serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, and also sits on the Subcommittee on Energy. Lipinski’s district includes Argonne National Laboratory.

Lipinski is known throughout the district for his top-notch constituent services and his work on behalf of veterans and senior citizens.

Prior to serving in Congress, Rep. Lipinski taught American Government at the college level, including at the . In the 114th Congress, he is one of just a dozen trained engineers in Congress.

Rep. Lipinski and his wife, Judy, reside in Western Springs. In their free time, they are avid runners, participating in numerous races each year, ranging from two-mile sprints to half- marathons.

Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL-5)

Mike Quigley was elected to Congress to represent Illinois’ 5th District on April 7, 2009. A former Cook County Commissioner who began his career serving as an aide to former 44th Ward Alderman Bernie Hansen, Mike has served his community for more than thirty years. His election to Congress was an opportunity to take his unique style of reform-minded politics, which Chicagoans have known for years, from Cook County to Washington.

In Washington, Mike has made government reform and fiscal responsibility the cornerstones of his legislative agenda. By starting from scratch and asking tough questions about what the government actually needs, his innovative “Reinventing Government” reports lay out detailed plans for streamlining the federal budget and reducing our deficit by $2 trillion over the next 10 years.

He has also proposed smart policies to crack down on corruption and increase government transparency. Mike is the co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Transparency Caucus, and he has introduced landmark legislation that would significantly strengthen oversight at all branches of the federal government and utilizes 21st century technology to expand public access to information.

As the only Illinois member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Mike is using his position to prioritize investments in innovation and Chicago-area infrastructure, which will grow the local economy and spur job creation. He’s also fighting to put more cops on the streets, protect funding for vital housing and social services programs and is a leading voice for smarter defense spending and nuclear reduction. He currently serves on the Subcommittee on Financial Services and the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.

At the start of the 114th Congress, Mike was appointed by Democratic Leader to serve on the influential House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). The committee oversees the activities of the entire Intelligence Community. Representing Chicago, one of the nation’s largest cities and a major hub for travel and commerce, Mike brings to the committee a unique understanding of the national security challenges we face. He believes the government has both the capability and responsibility to strike the proper balance between protecting our nation’s security and safeguarding the civil liberties of its citizens and will serve as a watchdog over our intelligence agencies. He currently serves on the NSA and Cybersecurity Subcommittee and is the Ranking Member on the Emerging Threats Subcommittee.

He previously served on the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he was the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services, and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs.

Mike has established himself as a leader on many of our nation’s most challenging and significant issues. He continues to fight for full LGBT equality, a woman’s right to choose and commonsense gun law reforms that will make our communities safer. A member of the Sierra Club since he was 16, Mike continues pushing for strong environmental policies that protect our natural resources and address the growing threat of climate change. The Chicago Reader has said he is “arguably the greenest elected official in Chicago.”

For constituents who have known Mike since his days as the Commissioner from Cook County’ s 10th District, his efforts on Capitol Hill come as no surprise. Mike led efforts in the Cook County Board of Commissioners on the environment, LGBT rights, reform, transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility. He earned the reputation as an honest and effective leader on reform.

Mike did his undergraduate work at , earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago, and a law degree from the Loyola University School of Law, all in Chicago. He also served as an adjunct professor of political science at Loyola University Chicago and Roosevelt University, lecturing on politics, the environment and local government. He was a practicing lawyer for more than a decade.

Mike lives with his wife Barbara in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, where he has lived since 1982. His daughters, Alyson and Meghan, are both grown and out of the house but he has his dog Scout to keep him busy. In his free time, he roots for the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, remains optimistic about the Cubs and enjoys playing ice hockey in a weekly game at home in the district.

Congressman (R-IL-6)

Chicagoland native Peter Roskam is in his fifth term in the United States House of Representatives, serving the 6th District of Illinois. Roskam is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he sits on the Health Subcommittee and chairs the Oversight Subcommittee—a key watchdog post with jurisdiction into the spending and operations of tax- writing and healthcare programs within the federal government. Roskam was at the center of the Committee investigation into the IRS after it was revealed the agency was targeting Americans for their personal, religious, and political beliefs, authoring legislation to protect against these abuses that became law. Roskam serves on the House Select Committee on Benghazi, a group tasked with a full and complete investigation of the events leading up to, during, and after the terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya. Active on national security issues and promoting America’s role in the world, Roskam leads the House Democracy Partnership, assisting legislatures in emerging democracies; serves as a co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, the largest Republican congressional organization dedicated to strengthening the U.S.- Israel relationship; and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Endowment for Democracy. Roskam played an active role in securing a landslide House majority in 2010. Roskam graduated from the University of Illinois before spending his early career in the office of his mentor, legendary Congressman . He later earned his J.D. from IIT Chicago- Kent College of Law and began a law practice, where he developed significant experience as a litigator. Roskam has represented Chicago’s western suburbs in both the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate. Roskam lives in Wheaton with his wife of over 26 years, Elizabeth. They have four children.

Congressman (D-IL-1)

United States Representative Bobby L. Rush is a transcendent American leader who keeps his legislative and policy interests sharply focused on the needs of his constituents — especially the most vulnerable. He believes in the redemptive power of the human spirit. He believes in human ingenuity and tenacity. He knows the power of a made up mind. As a member of Congress, Rush stands on the shoulders of a long line of patriots and public servants who have gone before him and who are ardent believers in our Constitution. His life is an example of our nation’s fundamental promise and his work reflects a deep determination to bend the arc of government resources and innovation towards the needs of every American — whether they live on our nation’s main streets or its side streets.

Chicago and her surrounding communities are a microcosm of America. While large parts of Rush’s district include communities that can boast world class health and educational institutions and a diverse array of businesses, there are others where youth unemployment and acts of violence are far too common. Rush is an honorably discharged veteran of the and an ordained minister with a Master’s Degree in Theology. In addition to his congressional responsibilities, Rush is the pastor of the Beloved Community Christian in Chicago. Rush listens to his constituents with a pastor’s ear and acts on their needs with a politician’s skill.

He and his wife, Carolyn, have a blended family with seven children including a son who lost his life to gun violence in 1999.

Legislative Highlights

From his very first year in office, Rush focused on issues of importance to low- and middle- income families and communities. In 1993, as a freshman in the 103rd Congress, Rush introduced bills on issues as diverse as Conflict Resolution and Mediationto Public Pensions and Community Development. Rush’s track record of leadership on energy issues and his support for small business while serving as an alderman in the paved the way for him to gain a seat on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee in his second term. Rush’s attention to detail in crafting national legislation inspired his peers to elect him Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection during the 111th Congress. Under Rush’s watch, important pieces of legislation became law including the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-314). Signed into law by President George W. Bush, this statute is a landmark piece of legislation that provided an effective congressional response to an unprecedented wave of consumer product safety recalls between 2006 and 2007. Key pieces of legislation that Rush crafted surrounding postpartum depression, women’s health (Sec. 2951 and Sec. 2952 of Subtitle L), and prescription drug offsets (Sec. 7101 and Sec. 7102 of Subtitle B) were adopted in the landmark health care legislation, the Patient Protection and (P.L. 111-148), signed into law by President . Because of Rush’s leadership over the years on a range of small business issues and community- based lending, Rush was chosen to serve as a conferee as part of the final, bipartisan deliberative process that led to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203). Rush fought hard to help ensure that low- and middle- income consumers would never again fall prey to the ill-conceived, predatory financial practices that led to the near epic collapse of U. S. financial markets in 2008. In 1996, Rush served as a conferee on the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104). This law, the first major overhaul of U.S. telecommunications law in almost 62 years, marked the first time the Internet was included in the broadcasting spectrum allotment and paved the way for the growth of cable and Internet accessibility throughout the nation. During his tenure, Rush has brought more than one billion dollars to the 1st Congressional District. Through his determined advocacy, he has led efforts to fund major infrastructure projects in the district such as the reconstruction of the Dan Ryan Expressway, the Lovana S. ‘Lou’ Jones/Bronzeville Station, the CREATE Englewood Flyover, the CTA Red Line Reconstruction, and the CTA Red Line 95th Street Station Renovation. Over the years he has obtained millions of dollars in grants for libraries, museums, municipalities, police departments, hospitals, schools and programs that support the arts.

Since the convening of the 112th Congress in 2011, Rush has served as the Ranking Democratic Member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Energy and Power Subcommittee. As Ranking Member, one of Rush’s top priorities has been to increase opportunities for minorities within all sectors of the energy industry. In this Congress, Rush has introduced the 21st Century Energy Workforce Development Jobs Initiative Act of 2014 (H.R. 4526). This bipartisan bill establishes a comprehensive program to improve the education and training of workers for energy-related jobs, with an emphasis on increasing the number of skilled minorities and women trained to work in such jobs. Continuing to place a high priority on ensuring access to quality healthcare, Rush introduced the Trauma Relief Access for Urgent Medical Assistance of 2014 (H.R. 4181). In addition to increasing funding for research in emergency medical care systems and emergency medicine, this bill establishes grants for regionalized systems for emergency care response, trauma care centers, to promote access to trauma care services, and grants for demonstration projects for the expansion and improvement of emergency medical services for children. The United States recently received a D+ for trauma preparedness with a few states receiving an F in a study conducted by the American College of Emergency Medical Physicians. This bill seeks to improve on this national epidemic by providing the necessary resources to reduce the effects of Trauma Deserts on our urban and rural communities. Today, Rush continues to carve an effective course of sound legislative leadership that protects consumers, supports our military personnel, creates jobs, expands businesses, and promotes America’s national energy policy. As Rush looks to the future, the needs and interests of the people he serves in the 1st Congressional District of Illinois remain front and center.

Congresswoman (D-IL-9)

Jan Schakowsky has been a lifelong consumer advocate and a champion for, what she sees as, the disappearing middle class. From her days as a young housewife who led the campaign to put expiration dates on food products to the 2008 passage of legislation she helped write making children's products and toys safe, Jan has worked to make life better for working and middle class Americans.

Jan was elected to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District in 1998, after serving for eight years in the Illinois General Assembly. She is in her ninth term, serving in the House Democratic leadership as a Chief Deputy Whip and as a member of the Steering and Policy Committee. She is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she is the Ranking Democrat on the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee.

For decades, Jan identified her top priority as winning affordable, quality health care for all Americans. In 2009 and 2010, she played a leadership role in writing and passing the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that finally established health care as a right and not a privilege in the United States.

Working and middle class people see Jan out there fighting for their jobs and paychecks at a time when income inequality has reached record levels. In 2010, then Speaker Pelosi appointed Jan to President Obama's 18-member National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform where she bucked the majority and offered her own proposal to balance the budget without cutting Social Security, or – or further burdening struggling families.

Jan is proudly pro-choice, favors marriage equality and comprehensive immigration reform. Jan was a founding member of the Out of Iraq Caucus in the U.S. House. She co-chairs the Democratic Seniors Task Force which focuses on addressing the needs of older Americans.

As a Jewish Congresswoman, Jan has a deep personal connection to the State of Israel and has consistently voted for measures to assure Israel's security and to promote efforts toward a two- state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace.

Jan grew up in the 9th District and returns home every weekend to meet with individual constituents, business leaders, and groups large and small. The Constituent Advocates in her two district offices work tirelessly to help the diverse range of constituents in the 9th District and are known far and wide for their welcoming attitude and effective problem solving.

Jan lives in Evanston, Illinois, with her husband Robert Creamer and their golden retrievers, Franklin and Eleanor (Frankie and Ellie for short). She has three marvelous children, Ian, Mary and step-daughter Lauren, and six exceptional grandchildren – Isabel, Eve, Lucy, William, Aidan and Alice. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1965 with a B.S. in Elementary Education.

Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL-15)

John M. Shimkus has served in the Army, as a high school teacher, a county treasurer, and now as a Member of the United States House of Representatives for the 15th District of Illinois.

Among his duties in Congress, John is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and chairman of its Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. He also serves on the Energy and Power;Health; and Communications and Technology Subcommittees.

Legislation

Over the years, John has worked with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance policies that enhance our nation's energy security and public safety. Several of his legislative initiatives have been signed into law by Presidents , George W. Bush, and Barack Obama including the:

 1998 law allowing for biodiesel fuel use in federal, state and private fleets. This bipartisan legislation has since made biodiesel more readily available at fuel pumps across the country.

 1999 law designating 9-1-1 as the universal emergency number in the United States for mobile as well as landline telephones.

 2002 law requiring federal testing of children's booster seats. This legislation is also known as Anton's Law.

 2002 law establishing an Internet domain that provided a safe place on the web for young children to surf and learn safely. The Department of Commerce acknowledged at the time that this was “an important and groundbreaking effort to give parents additional tools to protect their children in the dawning Internet era.” While new parental controls have since rendered the domain obsolete, John continues to stress online safety and a free and open Internet.

 2003 law providing for the placement of heart defibrillators in schools.

 2004 law expanding federal grants for the deployment of equipment able to locate 9-1-1 callers from wireless devices. Building on this success, John has recently urged the FCC to ensure accurate caller location information is automatically provided to public safety officials for indoor as well as outdoor wireless calls to 9-1-1 call centers.

 2005 law requiring transportation fuel sold in the U.S. contains a minimum volume of renewable fuels. John’s tireless efforts in supporting biodiesel and ethanol were instrumental in the inclusion of this Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in the Energy and Policy Act of 2005.

 2008 law requiring Internet voice service companies to provide 9-1-1 service to their users.

 2012 law to facilitate the delivery of voice, text, photos, video, and other data to 9-1-1 call centers.

Family

John married Karen Muth in 1987. They have three sons: David, Joshua and Daniel. The Shimkus family maintains their residence in John’s hometown of Collinsville, Illinois where they are active members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School.

Education and Work History

John received his Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1980. He served over five years active duty in the Army, then entered the Army Reserves. John retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on June 1, 2008, concluding 28 years of military service.

After leaving active duty, John earned his teaching certificate from Christ College Irvine, California (now Concordia University Irvine). He returned home to teach at Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville, Illinois.

In 1989 John won his first election, becoming a Collinsville Township trustee. He left his teaching job the following year to campaign full-time and was elected Madison County (Illinois) Treasurer. John began studies for his master’s degree in business administration (MBA) while county treasurer and graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1997.

In 1996 John won his first term as a United States Representative from what was then Illinois' 20th District. From 2003-2013 he represented the 19th District and now he represents the 15th District, 33 counties that stretch from his hometown near St. Louis to the Indiana border and from Hoopeston south to Metropolis. Danville is the largest city in the 15th District.

Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)

Senator , a Democrat from Springfield, is the 47th U.S. Senator from the State of Illinois, the state’s senior senator, and the convener of Illinois’ bipartisan congressional delegation. Durbin also serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader, the second highest ranking position among the Senate Democrats. Also known as the Minority Whip, Senator Durbin has been elected to this leadership post by his Democratic colleagues every two years since 2005. Elected to the U.S. Senate on November 5, 1996, and re-elected in 2002, 2008, and 2014, Durbin fills the seat left vacant by the retirement of his long-time friend and mentor, U.S. Senator . Durbin sits on the Senate Judiciary, Appropriations, and Rules Committees. He is the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution and the Appropriations Committee's Defense subcommittee. Senator Durbin makes approximately 50 round trips a year between Washington and Illinois. He is married to Loretta Schaefer Durbin. Their family consists of three children--Christine (deceased), Paul and Jennifer--as well as three grandchildren, Alex, Ona and Floyd. They reside in Springfield.

Senator (R-IL)

Born in Champaign, Illinois, Senator Kirk graduated from Winnetka’s New Trier High School and attended Blackburn College and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México before earning a B.A. (cum laude) in history from Cornell University. Senator Kirk also earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a law degree from , and served as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve from 1989 until 2013, when he retired with the rank of commander. Senator Kirk worked as a staff member for Congressman John Porter before moving to work at the World Bank and later the State Department. He practiced law at Baker & McKenzie before serving as a counsel to the House International Relations Committee. In 2000, Mark was elected to the House of Representatives where he served five terms before his election to the U.S. Senate.

In January 2012, Senator Kirk suffered an ischemic stroke and underwent surgeries at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to relieve swelling in his brain. After nearly a year of intensive recovery and rehabilitation, Senator Kirk triumphantly returned to work by climbing the 45 steps of the U.S. Capitol on January 3, 2013. Friends and colleagues from both sides of the aisle cheered as Senator Kirk walked up the Capitol steps. Senator Kirk reflected that his return to the Senate was one of the greatest moments of his life.

Senator Kirk currently serves on four Senate Committees: 1) Appropriations, 2) Banking, 3) HELP (Health, Education, Labor & Pensions), and 4) Aging. Senator Kirk is chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs as well as the Banking Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance.