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Judy Biggert (R-Ill.)

U.S. Representative (since January 1999)

(Congress Bio Directory)

Why She Matters

Biggert, the congresswoman from Illinois' 13th district, is a moderate Republican who was first elected in 1998 with the help of typically left-leaning groups like the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood.

Biggert primarily focuses on education and labor, regularly working on largely non-controversial legislation in these areas, like a bill barring employers and health insurers from discrimination against people who have costly diseases revealed through genetic testing and another expanding funding for education for the homeless.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Member, Illinois House of Representatives, (1992-1998); Hinsdale Board of Education (1982-1985); Practicing attorney (1975-1998)
  • Birthday: August, 15, 1937
  • Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
  • Alma Mater: Northwestern University, J.D. 1963; Stanford University, B.A. 1959
  • Spouse: Rody
  • Religion: Episcopalian
  • Committees: Education and Labor ; Science and Technology ; Financial Services (Chair, Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity)
  • DC Office: 2113 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515-1313, Phone: 202-225-3515
  • District Office: 6262 S. Route 83, Suite 305, Willowbrook, IL 60527, Phone: 630-655-2052
  • Website
 

Path to Power

An Illinois native, Judy Biggert was born in Chicago, Ill., on August 15, 1937, and attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Ill. She earned a bachelor's degree in international relations at Stanford University in 1959 and a law degree from Northwestern University in 1963.

Biggert began her law career by clerking for a federal appellate court judge. A self-described "former carpool mom and assistant soccer coach," she later practiced estate and real-estate law from home while raising her four children.

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The Issues

Biggert has described herself as a mainstream Republican and a centrist. Wary of ultra-conservatives, she has a moderate voting record, particularly on social issues. She supports embryonic stem-cell research and abortions rights, with the exception of late term abortions. She has also voted consistently in favor of homosexual rights, seeking expanded hate-crime protections and an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

In the House, Biggert has concentrated on education, labor and technology issues. She sponsored a bill that would allow employees to earn compensatory time rather than overtime, a move she said would help working mothers. The bill was strongly opposed by labor unions, and GOP leaders cancelled a roll call when it became obvious the bill would fail.

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The Network

Biggert has served on the House ethics committee, which she was assigned to by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).

Biggert's main network is a group of centrist House Republicans known as the Tuesday Group, chaired in the 112th Congress by Reps. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.) and Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.).

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