About Mike

Mike Quigley was elected to Congress to represent Illinois’ 5th District on April 7, 2009. A former Cook County Commissioner, Quigley has served his community for over twenty years.

He began his career serving as an aide to former 44th Ward Alderman Bernie Hansen and became a champion for environmental protection, equal rights, and ethical, open government. As the Commissioner from Cook County’s 10th District, Quigley fought for transparency, accountability, and fiscal sanity, earning the reputation as an honest and effective leader on reform.

During his time on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Quigley sponsored every piece of major environmental legislation adopted by Cook County government, and still regularly participates in local clean-up and restoration efforts, earning him awards from the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club. The Chicago Reader has said he is “arguably the greenest elected official in Chicago.”

Quigley has also fought for equal rights for those in the LGBT community, additional protections for victims of domestic abuse, and a woman’s right to choose.

A staunch advocate for government reform and accountability, Quigley wrote several revolutionary memos laying out detailed plans for the “reinventing” of Cook County government, to make it more efficient and more responsive to its citizens.

Quigley did his undergraduate work at Roosevelt University, 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 almost twenty years.

Congressman Quigley sits on the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and has continued his strong commitment to those issues important to him and the 5th District.

Quigley lives with his wife Barbara, daughters Alyson and Meghan, and two dogs in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood where he has lived since 1982. In his free time, he roots for the Cubs and enjoys playing ice hockey.

Awards

Chicago House– 2008 Public Service Award

Respiratory Health Association– Legislator Award

Lakeview Chamber of Commerce– Outstanding Public Servant

Chicago Battered Women’s Network– Community Advocate Award

Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization– Leon Despres Award

Audubon- Leadership Award

Human Rights Campaign- Equality Award

Les/Bi/Gay Radio - Rainbow Award

Illinois Committee for Honest Government– Distinguished Service Award

Chicago Recycling Coalition Award

Human Rights Award from the Evangelical Catholic Church