South Cook News

U.S. Representative Dan Lipinski (IL-3) issued the following announcement on Feb. 16.

More than 50 women elected officials and community leaders from across the Third District are endorsing Congressman Dan Lipinski in his campaign for reelection, citing his work to address major issues and bring resources into their communities, as well as his work on bills for equal pay for women, protections from discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and other guarantees for equal treatment.  

The 55 endorsements cover all corners of Lipinski’s district and come from women who hold positions as state representatives, mayors and village presidents, village clerks, commissioners, trustees, and others.

The Village of Oak Lawn is one of the largest municipalities in the Third Congressional District and veteran Village Clerk Jane Quinlan said Lipinski has consistently delivered in bringing major federal resources for transit, education, public safety, and community initiatives, as well as securing weekend Metra service, a rail quiet zone, and millions of dollars in public safety resources for the Oak Lawn Fire Department.

“The mark of an effective representative is someone who works hard, listens to constituents and gets things done and Congressman Lipinski has consistently met that criteria throughout his years of service,” said Quinlan.  “He is a pragmatic and accessible public official and I am proud to be one of the many elected officials in Oak Lawn endorsing his candidacy.”

Over the course of his career in Congress Lipinski has supported numerous legislative initiatives that empower women, including co-sponsoring and helping pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to end gender pay disparity as well as working to reauthorize and fully fund the Violence Against Women Act, a landmark initiative that provides essential services and justice measures for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Lipinski’s efforts also include authoring the SANE Deployment Act (H.R. 1986, 113th Congress) which was signed into law and requires the Defense Department to deploy specially-trained sexual assault nurse examiners with all military deployments to assure that assault survivors receive necessary support and that offenders are prosecuted. In addition, Lipinski co-sponsored the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, legislation that requires employers to provide proper accommodations for pregnant working women.

“I am extremely honored to receive the support of such a distinguished group of women, whose hard work and dedication to service truly reflect the values of the women across the Third Congressional District,” said Lipinski.  “I value this support and it will continue to guide me in my work to fight for issues of importance for women.”

List of the women elected officials endorsing Congressman Lipinski:

“WOMEN FOR DAN LIPINSKI”

~ Lourdes Aguirre, Trustee, Romeoville

~ Patricia Alonzi, Trustee, Lyons

~  Bernadette Barrett, Vice Chair, Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees

~ Christina Bergbower, Alderwoman, Lockport

~ Kelly Burke, State Representative, 36th District

~ Sandra Bury, Mayor, Village of Oak Lawn

~ Dee Catizon, City Clerk, Hickory Hills

~ Teresa Echeverria, Trustee, Lyons

~ Katrina Errant, Trustee, Bedford Park

~ Deborah Ferrero, Alderman, Hickory Hills

~ Diane Galante, Trustee, Tinley Park

~ Donna Galeher, Trustee, Stickney Township

~ Alice Gallagher, President, Western Springs

~ Stephanie Gardner, Village Clerk, Hodgkins

~ Barb Gayle, Alderman, Burbank

~ Sheri Gustafson, Alderman, Burbank

~ Barbara Harrison, Clerk, Chicago Ridge

~ Kimberly Hastings, Chair, Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees

~ Patricia Higginson, Trustee, Bridgeview

~ Jennifer Iannantone, Clerk, Orland Hills

~ Colleen Kelly, Trustee, Lyons Township

~ Kelly Sexton-Kelly, Trustee, Worth Township

~ Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Trustee, Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees

~ Marcia Kissane, Trustee, Orland Hills

~ Melanie Kuban, Trustee, Justice

~ Colleen Lambert, Village Clerk, Summit

~ Mary Jane Mannella, Village Clerk, Willow Springs

~ Donna McDonald, Trustee, Lyons Township

~ Frances Mills, Trustee, Justice

~ Lida Mills, Trustee, Hodgkins

~ Vicki Moody, Highway Commissioner, Worth Township

~ Candice Morrison, Trustee, Orland Hills

~ Vicky Moxley, Trustee, Hodgkins

~ Patricia Joan Murphy, Trustee, Moraine Valley Community College Board of Trustees

~ Melissa Neddermeyer, Trustee, Willow Springs

~ Jane Nolan, Clerk, Palos Township

~ Mayra Ortiz, Trustee, Summit

~ Norma Pinion, Trustee, Bridgeview

~ Bonnie Price, Village Clerk, Worth

~ Maria Punzo-Arias, Town Clerk, Cicero

~ Deb Pyznarski, Trustee, Chicago Ridge

~ Jane Quinlan, Village Clerk, Oak Lawn

~ Irma Quintero, Village Clerk, Lyons

~ Fran Reitz, Town Collector, Cicero

~ Tracy Roti, Trustee, Orland Hills

~ Renee Saban, Alderwoman, Lockport

~ Melody Salerno, Controller, Hodgkins

~ Charlene Smollen, Village Clerk, Lemont

~ Claudette Struzik, Trustee, Bridgeview

~ Mary Sutton, Trustee, Bridgeview

~ Kristin Thirion, Village Clerk, Tinley Park

~ Karen Wasko, Trustee, Summit

~ Mary Werner, Village President, Worth

~ Nancy Wesolowski, Trustee Bedford Park

~ Louise Zelinski, Trustee, Stickney Township