James Patrick Hickey is the President of the Orland Fire Protection District,, one of the largest Fire Protection Districts in the State of Illinois and the Midwest.
Education
Born in Chicago, Illinois, he attended Street Adrian Grammar School, Saint Laurence High School, DePaul University (Bachelor Liberal Arts), and graduated from Benedictine University with an Master of Business Administration and concentrations in Finance & Accounting.
Career
The Orland Fire Protection District covers Orland Township, the Village of Orland Park, the Village of Orland Hills, unincorporated areas of Orland Township, and parts of Tinley Park. Hickey was first elected to serve a six year term on the OFPD in 2009 as a trustee, and was elected as the board"s president in 2010. As the new president of the board, Hickey and the board cut the District"s budget by more than $2 million during the first year
He’s the director of business development (real estate) for Peace Village, a senior citizens community in Palos Park, but before that was a partner in a mortgage and real estate business.
The 11th District includes the municipalities of Joliet, Aurora, Naperville, Burr Ridge, Woodridge, Darien, Bolingbrook and Plainfield, but does not include Orland Park or the OFPD. During his election, he proposed eliminating the interest paid by students on government loans to college students as a means of assisting college students.
In December 2013, he announced his intention to run for the United States Congress in the 2nd Congressional District, the seat formerly held by former Congressman Jesse Jackson, but later withdrew. Hickey also was a surprise candidate for a seat on the Cook county Board in the 17th District to challenge three-term incumbent Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth Doody Gorman.
Hickey was unchallenged in the March 18, 2014 Democratic Primary and is the Democratic nominee for the November 4, 2014 general election. Hickey said he entered the race for the 17th District Cook County Board believing that Gorman, his ally who was a key supporter in Hickey"s election, was planning to run for higher office and that he would only seek Gorman"s seat in the November 4, 2014 Illinois general election if she retired.
Hickey is the past president of Toastmasters International (2005–2006).