Mike Quigley

Mike Quigley
Official portrait, 2015
Mike Quigley
Born	Michael Bruce Quigley 17 10, 1958
Birthplace	Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney, former professor
Known for	U.S. Representative for Illinois's 5th congressional district
Education	University of Chicago (J.D.)
Children	2
Website	[http://quigley.house.gov/ Official site]

Michael Bruce Quigley (born October 17, 1958) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 5th congressional district since winning a special election on April 7, 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, Quigley represents a district that encompasses much of Chicago's North Side and several of its western suburbs. Before entering Congress, he spent over a decade as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, representing Chicago's northside neighborhoods including Lakeview, Uptown, and Rogers Park. He also served as an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago, where he taught courses on environmental policy and Chicago politics. Known for his work on government transparency, fiscal responsibility, and intelligence oversight, Quigley succeeded Rahm Emanuel in Congress after Emanuel departed to serve as White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. In January 2026, Quigley announced his candidacy for mayor of Chicago in the 2027 election, citing what he described as a crisis facing the city.

Early Life

Michael Bruce Quigley was born on October 17, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in the Midwest and later relocated to the Chicago area, where he would build his political career. Details about his parents and family background during his childhood years remain limited in publicly available records. Quigley settled in Chicago and became deeply engaged in the civic and political life of the city's North Side neighborhoods, an area characterized by its diverse population and active community organizations.

His early interest in public policy and government reform would shape his subsequent career choices, leading him first into law and then into local government. Before entering elected office, Quigley developed expertise in areas including government transparency, environmental policy, and the workings of Cook County's political institutions.

Education

Quigley pursued higher education with a focus on law and public policy. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School, one of the nation's most prominent legal institutions. His legal training provided the foundation for his later work in government reform and policy advocacy. He also studied at Loyola University Chicago, where he would later return as an adjunct professor teaching courses on environmental policy and the intricacies of Chicago politics.

Career

Cook County Board of Commissioners (1998–2009)

Quigley began his career in elected office in 1998 when he won a seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, representing the 10th district. He succeeded Maria Pappas in the position and would serve on the board for over a decade until 2009. The 10th district encompassed several of Chicago's North Side neighborhoods, including Lakeview, Uptown, and Rogers Park.

During his tenure on the Cook County Board, Quigley developed a reputation as a reform-minded commissioner focused on government transparency and fiscal accountability. He worked to expose wasteful spending and patronage practices within Cook County government, frequently challenging the political establishment on issues of ethics and governance. His efforts on the County Board established him as a figure associated with good-government advocacy, a theme that would carry forward into his congressional career.

Quigley also used his position on the County Board to advocate for environmental protections and community development in Chicago's North Side. His focus on environmental policy, combined with his teaching at Loyola University Chicago, positioned him as one of the more policy-oriented members of the board.

Upon his departure from the Cook County Board in 2009, Quigley was succeeded by Bridget Gainer as the representative for the 10th district.

2009 Special Election

When Rahm Emanuel resigned his seat in Illinois's 5th congressional district in January 2009 to become White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama, a special election was called to fill the vacancy. Quigley entered the Democratic primary, which in the heavily Democratic district was tantamount to winning the general election.

The special primary drew a crowded field of candidates seeking to represent the district. Quigley campaigned on his record of reform and transparency from the Cook County Board, along with his positions on environmental policy, civil rights, and government accountability. The Chicago Tribune endorsed Quigley's candidacy, noting his credentials and reform-minded approach. The Chicago Sun-Times also endorsed Quigley in the race.

Quigley won the special Democratic primary and subsequently won the special general election on April 7, 2009, succeeding Emanuel as the representative for Illinois's 5th congressional district.

U.S. House of Representatives (2009–present)

Overview

Quigley has served in the U.S. House of Representatives continuously since April 2009. As of 2026, he has held the seat for seventeen years, making him one of the longest-serving members of the Illinois congressional delegation. The Daily Herald has described him as having earned "a reputation of being a plain-spoken" congressman during his tenure.

Following redistricting after the 2010 census, the boundaries of the 5th congressional district were redrawn, extending to include some western suburban communities such as Hinsdale and Oak Brook, while maintaining its core in Chicago's North Side. Quigley has faced various challengers in subsequent elections but has consistently won re-election in the district.

In the 2026 primary election cycle, Quigley faced three Democratic challengers for his seat.

Legislative Priorities and Policy Positions

Throughout his congressional career, Quigley has focused on several key policy areas including government transparency, environmental protection, gun control, and intelligence oversight.

On government reform and transparency, Quigley has continued the work he began on the Cook County Board, advocating for greater openness in federal government operations. He has supported legislation aimed at increasing public access to government records and reducing wasteful spending.

On gun control, Quigley has supported measures to restrict firearm sales. He has been involved in legislative efforts to block gun sales to individuals on terrorist watch lists, a measure that faced opposition from Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee.

Quigley has maintained positions consistent with the Democratic Party on a range of issues including healthcare, immigration, civil rights, and fiscal policy.

National Debt and Fiscal Policy

Quigley has been involved in congressional discussions regarding the national debt and federal fiscal policy. As the national debt has continued to grow—approaching $39 trillion—Quigley has been among the members of Congress engaged in debates over spending and deficit reduction.

Intelligence and National Security

Quigley has served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he has been involved in oversight of the nation's intelligence agencies. His work on the committee has given him a role in some of the most significant national security debates in Congress.

Bipartisan Initiatives

Quigley has participated in bipartisan legislative efforts during his time in Congress. In February 2026, he joined with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator James Lankford (R-OK), and other House members in recognizing the 175th anniversary of the YMCA.

2026 State of the Union Decision

In February 2026, Quigley announced that he would not attend the State of the Union address, choosing instead to participate in a virtual town hall hosted by Indivisible Barrington, a constituent organization. His office stated that the congressman opted to engage directly with constituents rather than attend the presidential address.

2027 Chicago Mayoral Campaign

In January 2026, Quigley announced his candidacy for mayor of Chicago in the 2027 municipal election. In his announcement, Quigley stated that "Chicago is in crisis," citing concerns about public safety, governance, and the city's direction as his motivation for entering the race. The announcement came while Quigley was simultaneously running for re-election to his congressional seat in the 2026 primary.

Academic Career

In addition to his political career, Quigley has served as an adjunct professor at Loyola University Chicago, where he taught courses on environmental policy and Chicago politics. His academic work allowed him to engage with students and scholars on the subjects that have defined much of his public service career.

Personal Life

Quigley resides in Chicago, Illinois, in the area encompassed by his congressional district. He has two children. He has maintained a home in the North Side neighborhoods that he has represented throughout his political career, first on the Cook County Board and then in Congress.

Quigley has been an active presence in the civic life of Chicago's North Side, attending community events and maintaining close ties with the neighborhoods and suburban communities within his district. His congressional office and campaign operations have been based in the Chicago area throughout his time in office.

Recognition

Quigley was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in recognition of his support for LGBT rights and the LGBT community. This honor acknowledged his legislative and advocacy work on behalf of civil rights and equality.

Throughout his career, Quigley has received endorsements from major media outlets during his election campaigns. The Chicago Tribune endorsed his candidacy in the 2009 special election, and the Chicago Sun-Times similarly endorsed him. In 2026, the Daily Herald endorsed Quigley in the Democratic primary for the 5th congressional district, citing his long record of service and his reputation as a plain-spoken representative.

If Quigley were to be elected to another term in Congress, he was expected to become the dean of the Illinois congressional delegation upon the retirement of Senator Dick Durbin in 2027, reflecting his seniority within the state's representation in Washington.