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2008 Elections : NOW PACs Profile
Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill., 9th District)
Leading for Peace and an End to the War in Iraq
First elected to Congress in 1998, Jan Schakowsky's is running for a sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Illinois' 9th District. Deeply involved in the fight to protect women's reproductive freedom, Schakowsky has made significant strides in advancing women's rights, health care and social justice issues through decades of public service.
NOW PAC has been proud to endorse Schakowsky each time she has run for office, and commends her advocacy on women's issues in Congress. She has sponsored legislation that would prevent violence against immigrant women and establish transitional housing for women and children who are victims of abuse. She has won major legislative victories to reform election laws guaranteeing that no registered voter is turned away at the poll, expand housing opportunities for low-income people, and assist small business owners and farmers.
She currently serves in the House Democratic Leadership as Chief Deputy Whip. Schakowsky also is a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where she will work to accomplish her top priority in Congress -- providing universal healthcare coverage for all Americans. Throughout the 110th Congress, Schakowsky has also served as Democratic Vice Chair of the bipartisan Women's Caucus.
Most recently, House Majority Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Schakowsky to serve on the House Select Committee on Intelligence. A strong critic of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Schakowsky opposed the Iraq war resolution and helped found the Out-of-Iraq Caucus.
Shakowsky is a citizen advocate and grassroots activist who promises to continue her work to improve quality of life for all. A longtime consumer advocate, who in 1969 led the fight that put freshness dates on products sold in the supermarket, Schakowsky carries on that tradition in Congress with efforts to safeguard the rights of victims of identity theft and to protect consumers from predatory lenders. A champion for the nation's seniors, Schakowsky is actively engaged in the campaign for seniors and persons with disabilities to access affordable prescription drugs. Schakowsky also is working to ensure that seniors receive quality home, hospice and nursing care.
Before taking her seat in Congress, Schakowsky represented the 18th District in the Illinois General Assembly for eight years. She served as a Democratic Floor Leader and as Secretary of the Conference of Women Legislators.
Prior to her election to the State House, Schakowsky fought for the public interest and rights of Illinois citizens. As Program Director of Illinois Public Action (1976-1985), the state's largest public interest organization, she fought for energy reform and stronger protection from toxic chemicals. As Director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens from 1985-1990, she organized across the state for lower cost prescription drugs and tax relief for seniors, financial protection for the spouses of nursing home residents and other benefits for the elderly.
Schakowsky currently lives in Evanston, Ill., with her husband, Robert Creamer. She has three children and four grandchildren.
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