Hon. Mike Quigley

Hon. Mike Quigley

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 Nancy Pelosi 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 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.