Bill Lipinski

Background

He was born in Chicago, and was educated at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Career

Lipinski served in the United States Army Reserve, and he was a public administrator with the Chicago Park District of the city of Chicago. In 1975, Mayor Richard J. Daley named him as the Democratic committeeman for Chicago"s 23rd Ward, in the southwestern portion of the city—a post he still holds. In the same year, Lipinski was elected to the Chicago City Council as the alderman for the 23rd Ward.

In 1982, he challenged incumbent Democrat John G. Fary in the primary for Illinois"s 5th congressional district, which included most of southwestern Chicago.

He was reelected four times from this district with almost no difficulty. Lipinski defeated Russo in the 1992 Democratic primary, all but assuring a sixth term.

He was reelected five more times from this district, facing serious opposition only once, in 1994. While in the House, Lipinski served on the Transportation Committee.

His district included Midway Airport and also had more railroad crossings than any other district.

Lipinski was conservative by national Democratic standards. He strongly supported the right to life, and described himself as a staunch conservative on foreign policy. Lipinski endorsed Bill Bradley for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2000.

On August 13, 2004, however, Lipinski withdrew his name from the November 2 general election ballot, announcing that he would retire at the end of his 11th term, which expired on January 3, 2005.

The district is so heavily Democratic that this move effectively handed the seat to the younger Lipinski, who still holds the seat today. Lipinski has since become a lobbyist.

Achievements

• He won largely by running up the totals in his city council district, and was handily elected in November. During the 2004 election cycle, Lipinski initially placed his name on the ballot and easily won the primary election, which practically assured him of a 12th term in Congress.

Membership

He was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of moderate and conservative congressional Democrats.

Connections

Friend:

Marty Russo