Dan Lipinski | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 3rd district |
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Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 3, 2005 |
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Preceded by | Bill Lipinski |
Personal details | |
Born | July 15, 1966 Chicago, Illinois |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Judy Lipinski |
Residence | Western Springs, Illinois |
Alma mater | Northwestern University, Stanford University, Duke University |
Occupation | political assistant, college professor |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Daniel William Lipinski (born July 15, 1966) is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 3rd congressional district, serving since 2005. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
The district includes much of the southwest side of Chicago, along with such suburbs as Oak Lawn and Brookfield.
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Lipinski was born in Chicago, and is the son of former U.S. Congressman Bill Lipinski. He holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University (earned 1988), a master's degree from Stanford University (1989), and a Ph.D. in political science from Duke University in 1998.
During the summer of 1992, he interned at the United States Department of Labor. He served in that same capacity for U.S. Congressman George E. Sangmeister from 1993 to 1995. From 1995 to 1996, he served as a legislative staff member for U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello. During the 1996 election season, he served on the campaign, and later the transition staff, for Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine. After a short stint on the staff of then-U.S. Congressman Rod Blagojevich, Lipinski served as a communication staff aide to then-House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt.
From 2000 to 2001, Lipinski served on the faculty at the University of Notre Dame. In 2001, he joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee, where he remained until his election to Congress in 2004.
Like his father, Lipinski is a moderate-to-conservative Democrat by Chicago-area Democratic standards. This is not surprising given the nature of his district, which has historically been the most conservative district (especially on social issues) of the eight that divide Chicago.[1]
Lipinski is pro-life[2] and serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Pro-Life Caucus.[3]
Lipinski is a co-sponsor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.[4]
On April 29, 2009 Lipinski voted for the Hate Crimes Expansion bill which expands the definition of hate crimes and strengthens enforcement of hate crime laws.[5] On May 27, 2010, Lipinski voted against repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. In December 2010 he voted in favor of repeal.[6]
On September 17, 2009 Lipinski voted yes on the Student Aid Program Modifications bill. It passed the House with 253 - 171 votes.[7]
Lipinski was the only Illinois Democrat to oppose the health care reform bill that passed the house on March 21, 2010.[8] He said that he broke ranks with his party for a number of reasons, including the bill's provisions related to abortion.[9] Lipinski had previously voted for a version of the bill that contained more stringent restrictions on abortion funding.[10]
Lipinski has voted against giving undocumented immigrants in-state tuition, educational benefits, welfare and health care services, and has stood opposed to the visa lottery. He also has voted against increases in permanent and temporary foreign work visas such as the H1-B.[11]
In 2004, Lipinski's father ran for re-nomination in the Democratic primary. After easily winning the nomination, the elder Lipinski announced his retirement. As the Democratic committeeman for Chicago's 23rd Ward, he was able to persuade the state Democratic Party to select his son to replace him on the ballot. This was a somewhat controversial move in that it allowed the younger Lipinski to sidestep the Democratic primary—the real contest in this heavily Democratic district.[12] As expected, Lipinski trounced his Republican challenger, Ryan Chlada, in the 2004 general election.
In the 2006 primary, Lipinski was able to garner 55% of the vote against two Democratic opponents and he was re-elected in November with 79% of the vote. In the 2008 primary, Lipinski defeated three opponents, effectively clinching a third term.
Lipinski lives with his wife Judy in Western Springs, where she works as an actuary.
United States House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by William O. Lipinski |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 3rd congressional district 2005–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
United States order of precedence | ||
Preceded by Brian Higgins D-New York |
United States Representatives by seniority 244th |
Succeeded by Mike McCaul R-Texas |
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