Biography

Patrick J. O'Connor has been fighting for the people of Chicago for over 25 years. He has used his abilities as a lawyer, community leader and alderman to advocate for change and to improve our public school system, create new jobs and promote economic development, improve our health care system, keep our neighborhoods safe, and to rebuild our infrastructure.

Pat is a lifelong resident of the northwest side of Chicago and has represented the city's 40th Ward in the City Council since 1983. He is currently the Chairman of the Committee on Traffic Control & Safety and the Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee. In his years in the City Council, Pat distinguished himself as a leader in education, economic development and public safety. He has a solid reputation for honesty and personal integrity.

In his years of public service, Pat O'Connor has always stood up for what is right and best for the people he serves, even when it is not the popular political choice with Democratic Party leadership. In 1984, Pat was the first city of Chicago Democratic Committeeman to break from the party and endorse the late Paul Simon in the U.S. Senate democratic primary.

For over 20 years, he served as the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Child Development, where he worked with Mayor Daley, Paul Vallas, Gery Chico and Arne Duncan on Chicago's public school reform movement. Nationally recognized as a leader in public education, Pat O'Connor has received countless awards from teachers and school administrators alike. In his first year as Education Chairman, Pat was a key figure in negotiating a settlement to the longest teachers' strike in more than three decades. He established a reputation for bipartisanship and an ability to find new solutions to longstanding problems. His efforts as an advocate for education funding in Springfield have resulted in better pay for teachers and an unprecedented period of cooperation between the Chicago Board of Education and labor unions that serve the school children of Chicago. Pat was one of the founding members of the National League of Cities Institute on Youth Education and Families, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

As the son of Irish immigrants, Pat has always understood the need for good jobs that pay a living wage. As an elected official, he has fought for small business owners and made economic development a top priority. He has always supported a living wage and equal pay for equal work. Pat currently serves on the Chicago Plan Commission (an advisory body that reviews all substantial development proposals in the city).

Pat O'Connor was instrumental in bringing Northside College Prep to the northwest side of Chicago. Northside College Prep has emerged to be the top high school academically in the state of Illinois. Additionally, Ald. O'Connor has led the way in building new police and fire stations and new libraries. He has also passed legislation mandating that city establishments which serve alcohol warn pregnant women about the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant (fetal alcohol syndrome) and fought for neighborhood health care clinics and school based health care clinics. Pat O'Connor believes that focusing on economic development, jobs, education, infrastructure and health care is the best way to insure everyone a good quality of life and a chance at the American Dream.

Pat's law practice has been concentrated for the past ten years in the neighborhood banking industry. He has the capacity to be a leader on legislation dealing with the banking industry and to be a strong ally and partner for President Obama's Economic Recovery Plan from his first day in office.

Pat graduated Mather High School and earned his B.A. and law degree from Loyola University of Chicago. He is the proud husband of Barbara and father of five children, Hilary, Patrick, Claire, Courtney and Moira. He resides in the Budlong Woods neighborhood and is an active member of St. Hilary's Catholic Church. He is active in neighborhood, civic and community organizations and activities.

Illinois 5th Congressional District

After a hotly contested primary race in 2002, Chicago's 5th Congressional District is again an open seat. Shortly after being elected to his third term, Congressman Rahm Emanuel announced his retirement from this solidly Democratic seat in order to become the White House Chief of Staff for President Barack Obama.

Pat O'Connor, an attorney and city Alderman, is running for the 5th Congressional seat. He is bringing his over 25 years of experience as an advocate for change with a proven record on public education reform and strong economic development and job creation to the race. Pat O'Connor is also tapping into the organization, support and enthusiasm that has re-elected him to the City Council unopposed since 1991. He has a record of achievement in public service, the ability to raise the necessary funds to finance a federal campaign, and he is a proven vote getter with a message that resonates with the district's voters. O'Connor begins this race in a strong position to become the Democratic nominee for the 5th Congressional District.

O'Connor is one of 14 candidates in the Democratic primary. There are two women and twelve male candidates. The candidates include: two incumbent state representatives, one county commissioner and ten individuals who do not hold office at this time. Pat O'Connor is the only alderman running in a district where Mayor Richard Daley enjoys high favorable ratings. Pat O'Connor is also a lifelong resident of this district and a husband and father of five.

Background on the 5th Congressional District

The 5th Congressional District currently covers much of the north side of Chicago and it extends from Lake Michigan to the western suburbs. In addition to the city of Chicago, it includes Schiller Park, Franklin Park, River Grove, Elmwood Park, Northlake, and Melrose Park. In the city, it includes the key neighborhoods of Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Uptown and Lincoln Park.

This district was initially represented by Stephen A. Douglas, and over recent years, it has been represented by powerful Congressmen Dan Rostenkowski, Rod Blagojevich and, most recently, Rahm Emanuel. The District has a medium income of $48,531 and is 77% white; 23% Hispanic; 6.5% Asian; 2.3% Black; .3% Native American; and 9/8% other. It is comprised of many immigrant populations, with large Irish, Italian and Polish populations. The District also includes a significant Gay and Lesbian population.

Polling

Current polls show over 50% of the voters are undecided and this means the race is wide open. Given his ballot name and record, Pat O'Connor is in a great position to take advantage of this high undecided percentage in the short time prior to the special election - approximately 4.5 weeks.

Why Pat O'Connor Can Win

This primary race is very different from the last closely contested primaries in 1996 and 2002 due to the very short time period before the special election primary scheduled for March 3, 2009. Pat O'Connor benefits from the large, crowded field, a great Chicago ballot name, a proven ability to get votes and organize for election day, raise money and get his message out to voters. In addition, the 5th Congressional District leans towards working class values and places great importance on strengthening schools, improving access to health care and creating and providing jobs. Pat O'Connor is uniquely qualified to match the profile of the district and to best address its needs.

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