Mike Quigley (politician)

For the English footballer, see Mike Quigley (footballer).
Mike Quigley
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 7, 2009
Preceded by Rahm Emanuel
Member of the
Cook County Board of Commissioners
from the 10th District
In office
1998–2009
Succeeded by Bridget Gainer
Personal details
Born Michael Quigley
October 17, 1958
Indianapolis, Indiana
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Barbara Quigley
Children Alyson, Meghan
Residence Chicago, Illinois
Alma mater Roosevelt University (B.A.)
University of Chicago (M.P.P.)
Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D.)
Occupation Lawyer
Religion Non-denominational Christian

Michael "Mike" Quigley (born October 17, 1958) is the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 5th congressional district, serving since the April 7, 2009 special election. The district includes most of Chicago's North Side, as well as several of the city's western suburbs. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Quigley is a former member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, where he represented Chicago's northside neighborhoods of Lakeview, Uptown and Rogers Park. He also teaches environmental policy and Chicago politics at Loyola University Chicago.

Early life, education, and early political career

Quigley was raised in Carol Stream, Illinois where he graduated from Glenbard North High School in 1977. He then attended Roosevelt University where he earned his bachelor's degree. Quigley moved into the Lakeview area of Chicago in 1982 and became involved in community activities. He attended the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he earned a juris doctor, and the University of Chicago, where he earned a master's degree in public policy.

Quigley was first elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1998. During his tenure he has gained a reputation as a reformer as he opposed tax hikes supported by Cook County Board President John Stroger, and later his son and successor Todd Stroger. He contended the county could operate more efficiently and he presented reports to support the position. Quigley also challenged the practice of finding jobs for Democratic officials with the Cook County Forest Preserve District.[1]

Quigley and his wife Barbara have two daughters, Alyson and Meghan.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2009

In early 2009, incumbent Democrat U.S. Congressman Rahm Emanuel of Illinois's 5th congressional district decided to resign in order to become the White House Chief of Staff to newly elected President Barack Obama. The vacancy lead to the special election to succeed him. Quigley was one of twelve candidates to file for the special Democratic primary. Mike was endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times, which called him "a constant advocate for fiscal responsibility and a watchdog against waste and corruption".[2] He was also endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, which cited Quigley's efforts to improve county government, noting "If Quigley's ideas had all been put in place, the county would not be crying now for more money".[3] He won the March special primary with 22% of the vote. The candidate who ranked second, State Representative John Fritchey received 18% of the vote, four points short.[4] After that, Quigley won the April special election with 69% of the vote.[5]

2010

Quigley won re-election to his first full term in 2010 with 71% of the vote.[6]

2012

After redistricting, his district was placed with fellow U.S. Congressperson Republican Judy Biggert and became slightly less safe. However, Biggert decided not to run for re-election in the 5th, as the district is still safely Democratic as Obama won the district with 70% (down three points from the current 5th) and 2010 Democratic U.S. Senator nominee Alexi Giannoulias won carried the 5th with 55% of the vote.[7] No Democrat has filed to run against him. Only one Republican filed, self-employed businessman Dan Schmitt.[8]

Gun control

In May 2011, Quigley sponsored an amendment to the Patriot Act prohibiting the sale of weapons to those on the FBI’s Terrorist Watch List.[9] Quigley believed that the Republican limitation of civil liberties under the Patriot Act contradicted their unwillingness to limit Second Amendment rights. This bill, proposed as an amendment to the Patriot Act, came under fire from House Republicans Reps. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin and Louie Gohmert of Texas who argued that this would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of those mistakenly placed on the Terrorist Watch List. However, in a vote dictated by political party, the bill lost 21–11 with the House Judiciary panel.[9]

Public health

Quigley has received a rating of 100 (on a scale of 1 to 100) from the American Public Health Association, indicating his strong support of healthcare legislation. In April 2011, Quigley voted against Paul Ryan’s budget plan (which involved budget cuts to Medicare as well as decreased government funding to help citizens procure health insurance). Also in April 2011, Quigley voted against repealing the “Prevention and Public Health” fund, a fund focused on Community and Clinical Prevention of chronic diseases, as well as allotting money towards healthcare infrastructure and research. Quigley also voted for increases in government spending on physical and occupational therapy.

Environment

A Sierra Club member since high school, Quigley initially joined politics because of his desire to help the environment through legislation. Quigley has enacted this desire through supporting the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a 2009 bill to create an emissions trading plan which passed in the House of Representatives but was defeated in the Senate. Quigley also introduced the Federal Birdsafe Buildings Bill, a 2011 initiative to make all buildings built by the General Services Administration built with the maximum amount of bird-safe materials and features. In April 2011, Quigley voted to prohibit invasive research on great apes.

Veterans

Quigley is a supporter of veterans' benefits and has worked to improve healthcare and education opportunities for them.[10] His district office is also known to make services available to veterans whenever they should need it, such as helping one veteran receive medals that he had been waiting for over twenty years to receive.[11] In 2013 Quigley introduced a bill to the House to prevent Veterans from entering into debt to pay for tuition before GI benefits are received. He hopes to provide even greater educational opportunities to veterans with this bill.[12]

Abortion

Quigley supports abortion on demand, and voted against banning federal health coverage for abortions.[13] Quigley also supports federal funding for family planning and education, as well as creating more preventative steps to avoid unwanted pregnancies altogether.[10]

Gay Rights

Quigley is a supporter of LGBT rights and showed his support in 2012 by participating in National Coming Out Day as a show of solidarity.[13][14] He has called for the FDA to revoke its ban on allowing blood donations from gays.[14]

Committee assignments

113th Congress

112th Congress

Other

In 2007 Quigley was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame as a Friend of the Community.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Cook Co. Commissioner Quigley voice of independents" Abdon M. Pallasch, Chicago Sun-Times, February 7, 2009
  2. ↑ "Quigley right choice for 5th District seat" Chicago Sun-Times, February 14, 2009
  3. ↑ "Democrats Best: Quigley" Chicago Tribune, February 18, 2009
  4. ↑ "IL - District 05 - Special Election - D Primary Race - Mar 03, 2009". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  5. ↑ "IL - District 05 - Special Election Race - Apr 07, 2009". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  6. ↑ "IL - District 05 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  7. ↑ Fieldman, Chuck (July 7, 2011). "Congressional remap pushes Chicago Democratic districts to Hinsdale, Oak Brook". The Doings Western Springs. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Variety of challengers for U.S. Congress". The Doings Weekly. December 27, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lillis, Mike (May 13, 2011). "Judiciary Republicans kill bill blocking gun sales to suspected terrorists". The Hill.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Policy Positions". Congressman Mike Quigley.
  11. ↑ "Quigley Presents Medals to World War II Veteran". Congressman Mike Quigley.
  12. ↑ "Quigley: No More Vets in Debt". Congressman Mike Quigley.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Mike Quigley (Democrat, district 5)". On The Issues.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Quigley Tapes Mouth Shut for NOH8 Campaign and National Coming Out Day". Congressman Mike Quigley.
  15. ↑ http://www.glhalloffame.org/index.pl?page=inductees&todo=year

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Rahm Emanuel		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 5th congressional district
April 21, 2009 – present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Paul Tonko
D-New York		 United States Representatives by seniority
220th 		Succeeded by
Judy Chu
D-California