Mike Quigley has proudly represented Illinois 5th District for more than 13 years. Since being elected to Congress, Mike has been devoted to fighting for our environment, small businesses, the LGBTQ community, healthcare access, and ending gun violence.
His passion for public service can be traced back more than four decades. From 1998 to 2009, he served as a Cook County Commissioner where he worked to increase transparency within the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
He currently serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on the House Committee on Appropriations. Mike has utilized his position on the Committee to bring investment back to his district. Most recently, he secured over $10 million for projects within the community that will do everything from enhancing public health opportunities, to improving our city’s infrastructure.
An investment in our children's education is an investment in our country's future. The importance of providing our children the best possible education cannot be overstated, especially as so many Americans battle economic hardship. That’s why I have made modernizing and improving our school system a top priority during my time in Congress.
I was proud to support the bipartisan reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which fixes the broken “No Child Left Behind” law and provides vital federal funding to states and local school districts to help improve K-12 education around the country. Included in the final bill was my bipartisan amendment to prevent the removal of important standards for classroom paraprofessionals and ensure that our students are being taught by qualified individuals, was included in the final bill. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have worked to increase funding for Preschool Development Grants, Head Start, and other education programs. I have supported policies that would make it easier for students to attend college by fighting for an extension of the Perkins Loan Program, which offers low-interest federal loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Finally, as founder and co-chair of the bipartisan International Basic Education Caucus, I have worked to increase international basic education programs and boost understanding of global education challenges.
Affordable and accessible education is one of the most important issues facing our country. I will continue fighting in Congress to develop innovative and pragmatic policies that support our teachers and ensure all children have fair and equal access to a high quality education.