Kevin Burns

Background

Burns was born to John and Ann Burns in Arlington Heights.

Education

After graduating high school in 1982, Burns, along with Emma, attended Augstana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

Career

Emma"s family is known in Chicago politics, where her great-grandfather, DeWitt Clinton Cregier served as mayor from 1889 to 1891. In 1986, Burns earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Speech Communications. After graduation from Augustana, Burns began working for various non-profit agencies and organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Paramount Arts Center, the United States. Olympic Committee, Rush-Copley Medical Center, the United States of America Equestrian organization, and Midwestern University.

In 2001, Burns ran for mayor, winning the election with 72% of the vote.

Again, in 2009, Burns ran unopposed and was sworn in for a third term as mayor. On August 18, 2007, Burns announced his intentions to run for Congress in Illinois" 14th District.

He faced dairy businessman Jim Oberweis and Illinois State Senator Chris Lauzen in the race to succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who announced his retirement from Congress in the summer of 2007 and later resigned on November 26, 2007. On December 13, 2007, Hastert announced his endorsement of Oberweis.

In response, Burns announced he was going to "step aside" in the race.

On December 24, Burns officially withdrew his candidacy. Burns also serves on the boards and committees of Association for Individual Development, Delnor-Community Healthcare Foundation, Community Chest, Lazarus House, Living Well Cancer Center, River Park, and the Tri-City Health Partnership. Burns has three daughters: Emma, Grace, Florence.

Achievements

• In 2005, Burns won reelection unopposed.

Membership

While at Augustana, Burns was an Honorary member of the social fraternity Omicron Sigma Omicron (OZO). In 1997, Burns was elected as an alderman of Geneva"s First Ward, where he was appointed to become a member of the Illinois Governor"s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.