Congressman Dan Lipinski - Third District, Illinois

Congressman Dan Lipinski is a proud native and Representative of Illinois' Third Congressional District. The District includes large parts of south and southwest Chicago, as well as several suburban communities in west and southwest Cook County. All of these neighborhoods and the families who call them home combine to make the Third District one of the most diverse and vibrant areas in the entire country.

Congressman Lipinski and his wife, Judy, an actuary, live in Western Springs, Illinois. Dan believes a Representative must be accessible to his constituents. As a result, he spends most of his time at home and in the district listening to the concerns of those he represents.

Congressman Lipinski earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and his Masters Degree in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University. He is one of only eleven members of Congress with a background in engineering. This provides him with a valuable perspective on technology policy as well as science, math and engineering education, all of which are vital to our country's continued success. Dan also has a PhD in Political Science from Duke University. Prior to being elected to the House of Representatives in 2004, Dan Lipinski served as an educator, teaching college students the legislative process, the inner workings of government, and the practice of American democracy.

Congressman Lipinski also gained extensive government experience prior to his election to the House of Representatives. He served on the staffs of former Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, Congressman Lane Evans, Congressman Jerry Costello, former Congressman George Sangmiester, and former Congressman Rod Blagojevich. He also served on the staffs of the House Administration Committee and the House Democratic Policy Committee and worked for the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois General Assembly's Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation. These experiences have made Congressman Lipinski one of the most experienced freshman Representatives in Congress.

Congressman Dan Lipinski's family has a strong history of public service. His father, William Lipinski, served the District for 22 years and helped to modernize Chicago's Midway Airport, build the Orange Line, and secure federal funding to help reduce traffic in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Dan is applying his background in teaching towards improving the nation's educational system. He supports legislation that makes quality, post-high school education affordable and accessible to individuals who are willing to work hard. He also supports legislation that improves the quality of primary education, ensuring all children receive academic opportunity.

A high priority for Congressman Lipinski is health care. The first piece of legislation he introduced in Congress is This Hospital Price Disclosure Act. This Act would make health care price information for inpatient and outpatient procedures, as well as commonly administered medications, available to consumers on the Internet. By being able to compare different health care facilities on a consumer-friendly web site, Americans will have more control over and greater confidence in their health care decisions. Dan is also the primary cosponsor of the Fair Care for the Uninsured Act. This legislation would help millions of Americans, who are currently without health insurance, obtain coverage for themselves and their families. Dan is committed to making health care affordable and accessible to those who need it.