John Fritchey

Infobox State Representative


imagesize = 150px
name=John Fritchey


state_house=Illinois
state=Illinois
district=11th
term=1996 -
preceded=
succeeded=Incumbent
date of birth=birth date and age|1964|03|02
place of birth=Bossier City, Louisiana
date of death=
place of death=
spouse=
profession=attorney
religion=Roman Catholic
party=Democratic|

John Fritchey is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 11th District since 1996.

Early life

John Fritchey was born on March 2, 1964 at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. After living briefly in Olney, Illinois, home to three generations of his family, and later in Belleville, John moved to Chicago with his mother where he attended grammar school and high school at the The Latin School of Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1986 from the University of Michigan. Fritchey returned home to earn his law degree from Northwestern University in 1989. After earning his law degree, Fritchey worked as an Illinois Assistant Attorney General from 1989-1991.

State Representative

Fritchey was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1996, when he was only 32. During his campaign he had support from both local elected officials as well as broad grass roots support, which led some political publications to call him the “new face of Chicago Democrats.” Fritchey continued to gain prominence when he was named “100 Rising Stars to Watch” in the nation by the Democratic Leadership Council in both 2000 and 2003. From government ethics to consumer protection to education funding, John has consistently fought for his constituents and the residents throughout Illinois. In 2001, Fritchey's efforts led to his being named Democratic Leader of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission.

Since first being elected, Fritchey has focused on ethics and campaign finance. In 2002 Fritchey helped pass the first significant campaign reform law in Illinois in years, outlawing the practice of campaign fundraising by state inspectors. In 2003, his work with State Senator Barack Obama resulted in the passage of the most comprehensive ethics bill ever passed in the state.

When Illinois was awarded 9.1 billion dollars in the national lawsuit against cigarette manufacturers, House leadership named John to be Co-Chairman of the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Committee. In this role, John sponsored legislation to combine major healthcare initiatives with long-term savings and investment.

Fritchey was Chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee from 1999-2002. His efforts to rein in escalating ATM fees received national praise and attention. Recently, in order to combat identity theft, John drafted and passed a law preventing retailers from printing full credit card numbers on receipts. This past session, John passed legislation out of the House to protect computer users from spyware.

In 2003, Fritchey was selected to be Chairman of the House Civil Judiciary Committee.

In addition to his legislative work, Fritchey has taught as an adjunct professor in Political Science at Northwestern University. He has also created the John Fritchey Youth Foundation, designed to create educational and recreational opportunities for local children through academic and athletic programs.

Personal life

John Fritchey and his wife have one child.

External links

* [http://www.fritchey.com Representative John Fritchey] official website
* [http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?MemberID=1153 Illinois General Assembly - Representative John A. Fritchey (D) 11th District] official IL House website
** [http://www.ilga.gov/house/RepBills.asp?MemberID=1153 Bills] [http://www.ilga.gov/house/RepCommittees.asp?MemberID=1153 Committees]
* [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=9550 Project Vote Smart - Representative John A. Fritchey (IL)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - John A Fritchey
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200614&c=417250 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200414&c=395871 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200214&c=18591 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200014&c=355296 2000] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=199814&c=354890 1998] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=199614&c=354497 1996] campaign contributions
* [http://www.housedem.state.il.us/members/fritcheyj/index2.htm Illinois House Democrats - John A. Fritchey] profile