| Maggie Crotty | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois Senate from the 19th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2003 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | October 16, 1948 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Oak Forest, Illinois |
Maggie Crotty is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 19th district since 2002. She is Chairperson of the Elections Committee, Vice-Chairperson of the Local Government Committee, and a member of the Higher Education, Labor, and Revenue Committees.[1] She announced she will not be seeking reelection after her current term expires in 2013. A strong primary threat coupled with a year expected to be tough for democrats may have contributed to the decision.
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Crotty's legislative priorities include health issues and education. She has passed legislation to expand state reading assistance grants to grades 7 through 12. Another legislative goal is to increase the state reimbursement rate to school districts for providing special education. She was a co-sponsor of a Bill to create a state administered prescription drug discount buying group for seniors. Beginning in January 2004, seniors were able to save up to 50% on the cost of prescription drugs.
As a supporter of children with special needs Crotty helped secure a bill that appropriates $10,200,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services. The funds will be allocated for a grant to the Autism Program for an Autism Diagnosis Education Program for young children.[2]
Crotty also is advocate supporter of better living for all citizens, in 2009 she helped pass a bill which Appropriates $64,200,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department on Aging for vendors of homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services to increase the wages paid to employees who provide homemaker, chore, and housekeeping services and to provide health insurance coverage to those employees and their dependents. This bill allowed individuals involved to have an opportunity to receive insurance based upon the additional pay increase.[3]
Crotty has sponsored many important initiatives to boost the state’s share of education funding. She played a major role in passing a “Silver Alert” system for Illinois. Based on the “AMBER Alert” system that warns expressway and interstate motorists of missing or abducted children, Crotty’s initiative permits law enforcement to provide alerts for missing and endangered seniors and the disabled.[4]
Crotty served three terms as an Illinois State Representative, first elected in 1996. Prior to joining the Illinois General Assembly, she worked for the Southwest Cook County Cooperative for Special Education.
Throughout Crotty’s professional career she has maintained memberships to various organizations such as: Metropolitan Services Community Advisory Board, present Member, Oak Forest Lions Club, present Chair, School District 228 Education Foundation, present Member, South Star Services Advisory Board, present Member, South Suburban College History Round Table, present Honorary Member, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago Board of Directors, present Board Member, Crisis Center of South Suburbia, 2002-2006 Past President, Oak Forest Kiwanis Club, 1990-1992 Member/Past President, Oak Forest High School Football Booster Club Past Member/Secretary, Oak Forest Civil Service Commission. Crotty continues to be active in the community by volunteering for many not-for-profit organizations and boards.[5]
Senator Crotty has received the following awards:
Maggie Crotty was born in Chicago, IL and was a graduate of Mercy High School. Her hometown is Oak Forest, IL. During her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family. She has three children Kevin, Keith, Mark and is the grandmother of four.[4]