We proudly present biographical sketches of Democratic elected officials representing citizens of Moraine Township:      

National Officials
State Officials
County and Regional Officials
Township Officials

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National Officials

Barack Obama, President

Barack Obama

Barack H. Obama is the 44th president of the United States.   With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, he was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961, and was raised with help from his maternal grandparents.      

After working his way through Columbia University with the aid of scholarships and student loans, Obama moved to Chicago, where he worked with a group of churches to rebuild communities devastated by the closure of local steel plants.  Enrolling in Harvard Law School, he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.  Upon graduation, he returned to Chicago and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago.      

President Obama’s years of public service are based on his belief in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. In the Illinois State Senate, he introduced the first major ethics reform in 25 years, cut taxes for working families, and expanded health care for children and their parents. As a United States Senator, he reached across the aisle to pass groundbreaking lobbying reform, lock up the world’s most dangerous weapons, and bring transparency to government by putting federal spending online.      

He was elected president on November 4, 2008,  the first African-American ever to hold that office.  Under his leadership, Congress has enacted such landmark legislation as an economic stimulus package, health care reform, financial regulatory reform, and extension of unemployment compensation.  Moraine Township Democrats are proud that our area strongly supported Obama’s candidacy.      

For more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president-obama
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Joe Biden, Vice President

Joe Biden

 Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr., was born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and moved with his family to Claymont, Delaware.  Biden graduated from the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School and served on the New Castle County Council. At 29, he became one of the youngest persons ever elected to the United States Senate.      

As a senator, Biden was chair or ranking member of the judiciary and foreign relations committees and played a pivotal role in criminal justice issues and in shaping U.S. foreign policy.    As vice president, he has been tasked with implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help rebuild our economy and lay the foundation for a sustainable economic future. He chairs the administration’s Middle Class Task Force,  targeted at raising the living standards of middle class families.  Biden continues to draw on his vast foreign policy experience, advising the President on international issues and representing our country through travel to many regions of the world.      

For more information, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-biden
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Richard Durbin, U.S. Senator

Dick Durbin

 Dick Durbin of Springfield, first elected to the U. S. Senate in 1996, has worked during his two Senate terms on economic development, education, more efficient transportation, and affordable, accessible, quality healthcare.   He was one of 23 Senators who voted against invading Iraq.      

Durbin worked his way through college and law school at Georgetown University and spent 13 years as the Illinois Senate Parliamentarian.  In 1982, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.      

Durbin is Senate majority whip and serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee.  In 2006, Time magazine named him one of “America’s 10 Best Senators.”      

For more information, visit http://www.dickdurbin.com
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State Officials

Pat Quinn, Governor 

Pat Quinn

 Pat Quinn of Oak Park has devoted his life to standing up for working people and fighting political corruption, government waste, special interests, and unfair taxes.  Quinn graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and from Northwestern University School of Law.  Elected to clean up the scandal-ridden Cook County Board of (Property Tax) Appeals, he instituted a tough ethics code, professional auditing standards, and vigorous taxpayer outreach.  He launched the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), which advocates against unfair utility rates.        

As state treasurer, Quinn spearheaded a law empowering taxpayers to file lawsuits to root out fraud and waste in state government.   His office used deposits of state funds to encourage banks to offer loans for affordable housing and to give women and minorities access to capital to expand small businesses.      

As lieutenant governor, first elected in 2003, Quinn fought for programs to protect the environment, expand health care, and assist members of the U.S. Armed Services and their families.  He became governor in 2009 after the impeachment and removal from office of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.  As governor, Quinn has devoted himself to balancing the state budget, creating new jobs, bringing fairness to our tax code, and leading the fight to reform state government.   He established the Illinois Reform Commission and signed a $3 billion capital construction program that will help create thousands of jobs in Illinois.      

For more information, visit  http://www.illinois.gov
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Sheila Simon, Lieutenant Governor

Sheila Simon

 Sheila Simon of Carbondale served for four  years each as a Jackson County prosecutor and a Carbondale city council member.  She also sat on the Illinois Reform Commission.  She is a professor of law at Southern Illinois University. 

After graduation from Georgetown law school, Simon worked at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance, providing legal services to those most in need and advocating for people facing domestic violence, discrimination, and loss of housing.  She then became an Assistant State’s Attorney in Jackson County, where she prosecuted DUIs and domestic battery cases.   As a Carbondale city council member she was a conservative steward of the city’s budget of over $40 million, and consistently advocated for open, ethical government.  Her record on ethics made her a natural choice for service on Governor Quinn’s Illinois Reform Commission, which helped to establish the first political contribution limits in Illinois law. 

Simon’s parents, the late Paul and Jeanne Simon, served in the Illinois House together, and were a lifelong team of public servants. Her father, Paul, is remembered across the state for his honesty and integrity in public service. 

For more information, visit http://www.law.siu.edu/fac_staff/simon/ 
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Jesse White, Secretary of State

Jesse White

Jesse White of Chicago, Illinois Secretary of State, was first elected to that office in 1998 and reelected twice.   White previously was Cook County Recorder of Deeds and before that, served 16 years in the Illinois General Assembly.      

As a young man, White played baseball with the Chicago Cubs, followed by a 33-year career as a teacher and administrator in the Chicago public schools.  He founded the internationally known Jesse White Tumbling Team to set at-risk youth on the path to success.   White earned a bachelor’s degree from Alabama State University and won all-conference honors in baseball and basketball.  He was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Alabama State University Sports Halls of Fame.      

For more information, visit  http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/biography/biography.html
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Lisa Madigan, Attorney General

Lisa Madigan

 Lisa Madigan, the first woman to serve as Illinois Attorney General, was first elected in 2002 and reelected in 2006.  Previously, Madigan served in the Illinois Senate and worked as a litigator for a Chicago law firm.  She earned a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.      

Madigan has dedicated her office to protecting women and children from sexual predators on our streets and on the Internet; safeguarding consumers, especially seniors, from fraud and unsafe products; and implementing strategies to combat the spread of drugs into our neighborhoods.  She has opposed efforts to weaken clean air standards and has advocated allowing states to strengthen car emission standards.  She is a leader in the effort to strengthen nuclear plant safety.      

A champion of open, accessible government, Madigan has made documents available in multiple languages, created a Spanish-language telephone hotline, and expanded the number of bilingual staff members available to serve Illinois’ diverse communities.  She received the Sunshine Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.   Many other organizations, including the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention, the American Cancer Society, the Illinois Drug Enforcement Officers Association, Equality Illinois, the American Association of Retired Persons, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Illinois Environmental Council have honored her accomplishments.      

For more information, visit  http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
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Susan Garrett, State Senator

Susan Garrett

Susan Garrett, a lifelong Lake Forest resident,  has represented the 29th District in the Illinois Senate since 2003.  She is majority caucus whip, chair of the Environment Committee, vice chair of the Commerce Committee, and a member of the Education, Government Reform, Public Health, and Revenue committees.    She served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1998 to 2001.      

Garrett’s focus is on quality-of-life issues: accessible health care, quality education, and well-planned community development.   She has made it a priority to be highly available to her constituents and holds regular town hall meetings.   She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lake Forest College.      

For more information, visit http://www.garrett98.com/
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Karen May. State Representative

Karen May

Karen May, a more than 35-year Highland Park resident, is serving her fifth term as state representative from the 58th Illinois House District.  First elected in 2001, May has a strong track record of progressive, independent, activist, and accessible public service.      

May is chair of the Renewable Energy and Environmental Health committees and vice chair of the Health Care Availability and Access Committee.  She is an advocate for quality public education, a prosperous economy, responsible energy use, and efficiency in government.  She has led the way on ethics and pension reform and was chief sponsor of health care, environmental, and education legislation. As founder and chair of the Green Caucus, she has fought for open space and acted to reduce harmful toxins in the environment.      

May previously served on the Highland Park City Council, chaired the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission, was vice president of the League of Women Voters of Highland Park, and sat on the Board of Directors of United Way.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Illinois and operated her own public relations firm.      

For more information, visit http://www.karenmay.org/
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County and Regional Officials

Mary Ellen Vanderventer, Recorder of Deeds

Mary Ellen Vanderventer

Mary Ellen Vanderventer of Waukegan in 1996 became the first woman in Lake County’s history elected as Recorder of Deeds.  Her current term expires in 2012.      

Vanderventer has worked diligently to process recorded documents using the latest technology and offering the best customer service possible.  She received the Lakeland Publishers 1997 “Forefronts” Award for Public Service.  She is a member of the State of Illinois Local Government Advisory Board,  Salvation Army Advisory Board,  United Way Board of Directors, Illinois Association of County Officials (IACO), Illinois Women in Government, and the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Elected Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT).      

For more information, visit http://www.lakecountyil.gov/recorder/default.htm
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Anne Flanigan Bassi, Lake County Board

Anne Bassi

 Anne Flanigan Bassi of Highland Park has been a member of the Lake County Board and Lake County Forest Preserves Commission representing District 23 since 2002.  As a CPA with a master’s in taxation and a small business owner, Bassi uses her financial and analytical skills to evaluate and monitor Lake County operations.  Having served on the Finance Committee for her entire Board tenure, she worked to ensure that Lake County maintained its AAA rating from both S&P and Moody’s, one of only 38 counties nationally to do so.      

Bassi helped bring a community health clinic to downtown Highland Park to serve uninsured and underinsured residents of southeast Lake County.  She facilitated the securing of more than $800,000 in grant funding for affordable housing, which leveraged $10 million in other private and public funding.   She worked to obtain grants for wetland restoration at Routes 22 and 41, environmental remediation at the Karger Center, and ravine work at Fort Sheridan.      

Bassi is treasurer of the Lake County Forest Preserve Commission and chair of Lake County’s Revenue, Records and Legislative Committee.  She works tirelessly on other county commissions and community organizations dealing with regional flooding issues, environmental protection, affordable housing, domestic violence, and health care, among others.  She previously served on the District 111 Board of Education and is a past co-president of the Highland Park League of Women Voters.       

For more information, visit  http://AnneBassi.com/
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Michelle Feldman, Lake County Board

Michelle Feldman

 Michelle Feldman of Deerfield was first elected to the Lake County Board and the Lake County Forest Preserve Board representing District 22 in 2008.  She serves on the Forest Preserve District’s Planning and Restoration Committee and Legislative Committee and on the Boards of the Lake County Community Development Commission and Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau.      

Feldman previously served on the Deerfield Village Board and was a legislative and political aide to State Rep. Karen May.  She holds a B.A. in business from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in business from the University of Iowa.  She is a graduate of the Illinois Women’s Institute of Leadership and of Mentium Chicago, a program for high-potential business women.  She has held human resources positions at Ameritech, Amoco, Baxter, and other major companies.  Her community activities include membership in Parents & Proud, a committee to address underage drinking, and Rep. May’s Blue Ribbon Affordable Housing Committee.      

For more information, visit http://lakecountyil.gov/CountyGovernment/ElectedOfficials/CountyBoardMembers/MichelleFeldman.htm
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Dan Pierce, President, NSSD

Dan Pierce

 Dan Pierce  of Highland Park served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1965 to 1985 and was the first chair of the House Environment Committee.  A member of the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee, he was a delegate to the 1972 National Convention and a three-time Presidential Elector.      

Pierce was mayor of Highland Park for 12 years, retiring in 2003, and helped acquire the Community Center, Suburban Fine Arts Center, and Highland Park Country Club.   He was elected Democratic State Central Committeeman in 2009.      

A trustee of the North Shore Sanitary District (NSSD), Ward 5, from 2004 to the present, Pierce has been elected as its president twice since 2006.  An attorney, he is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.  He was a U.S. Air Force captain during the Korean War.      

For more information, visit http://www.danpierceforillinois.com/about_dan.htm
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Moraine Township Officials

Mari Barnes, Supervisor

Mari Barnes

A former Highland Park City Council member, Chamber of Commerce president, and business owner, Mari Barnes was first elected Moraine Township supervisor in 2005, heading the MTDO Democratic slate.  Reelected in 2009, she and her team have created an efficient, fiscally sound, and responsive township office.    

By joining a township officials’ insurance pool,  Barnes saved more than $12,000 a year while adding needed catastrophic coverage.   She increased earnings on invested reserves three-fold, established a web site and newsletter with volunteer services, and stretched taxpayer dollars by adding direct transportation services for seniors and disabled residents, securing outside grant money now totaling $165,000.   To increase transparency, Board meetings have been moved to evenings and are cablecast; agendas and minutes are now on the township web site.     

 To reflect community diversity, Barnes hired bilingual staff and established a Latino Advisory Committee.  She started a medical transit van service and co-founded a committee of social service providers who meet regularly with police and fire department staff to discuss the needs of  the elderly.   Moraine Township received the 2007 Innovative Commitment to Seniors Award from the Illinois Township Association of Senior Citizen Services Committee.      

 Barnes is chair of the Highland Park Hospital Community Advisory Board.  A past president and assistant district governor of Highland Park’s Rotary Club, she was a founding member of the steering committee of “Character Counts.”      

For more information, visit http://www.morainetownship.org/
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Ellen Gussin , Clerk

Ellen Gussin

Ellen Gussin of Highland Park was first elected township clerk  in 2005 on the MTDO Democratic slate.   A University of Michigan business administration graduate, Gussin was president/COO of a marketing consulting firm before forming her own company specializing in meeting facilitation, business development, and strategic planning.   She has improved productivity in the Clerk’s office and developed procedures to ensure the integrity of township records.     

Gussin was co-president of the Highland Park High School PTO and campaign vice president for United Way.    She served as co-chair of an advisory panel to the Palliative Care & Hospice of the North Shore and as vice chair for Spring Event 2005 of Jewish United Fund.  She also was president of National Council of Jewish Women, financial vice president of Congregation Solel, and a member of the Legislative Round Table of District 113 feeder schools.     

For more information, visit http://www.morainetownship.org/clerk.html
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Dwayne Douglas, Trustee

Bryna Gamson, Trustee