Diane Pappas
Diane Pappas is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 45th district. The 45th district, located in northern DuPage County, includes all or parts of Addison, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Itasca, Medinah, Roselle, Wayne, West Chicago, and Wood Dale.[2][3]
Diane Pappas | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 45th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Christine Winger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 or 1971 (age 48–49) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | William Pappas[1] |
| Residence | Itasca, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Michigan State University (B.A.) Yale Law School (J.D.) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Website | Official campaign website |
Background and personal life
Pappas was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States aged 11. She attended Lake Park High School. She then earned a bachelor of arts from Michigan State University and a juris doctor from Yale Law School.[1] Pappas is an attorney from Itasca specializing in corporate negotiations and contracts. She has worked for Motorola Solutions, YRC Worldwide, and Locke Lord. Pappas was previously President of the Friends of Itasca Community Library.[4] She is currently married to William Pappas. The couple has no children.
Illinois House of Representatives
2018 election
Pappas became politically involved in 2018 when she became an elected precinct committeewoman with the local Democratic organization in Addison Township.[1] In the summer of 2018, Pappas was nominated by the local Democratic organizations in the district to run against the then-unopposed Republican incumbent Christine Winger.[1][5] Pappas narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Christine Winger with 50.8% of the vote to represent the Republican-leaning district.[6]
Tenure
Pappas was sworn into office on January 9, 2019. During the 101st General Assembly, Pappas served on the following committees: Adoption & Child Welfare; Cities & Villages; Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT; General Service Appropriations-General Service; and Prescription Drug Affordability.[7]
Airport noise mitigation
Pappas proposed the creation of an income tax credit in an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer for purchasing acoustical materials, other materials, labor, and professional services to soundproof a residential home located near airports against aircraft noise. This credit, if passed, would have allowed constituents living near O'Hare International Airport's new flightpaths to soundproof their homes.[8]
Healthcare
Along with Deb Conroy, Pappas introduced legislation to provide coverage for the treatment of serious mental illnesses and serious emotional disturbances.[9]
Diane Pappas is pro-choice on abortion and voted for the Reproductive Healthcare Act.[10] Dan Proft's conservative political publications and Republican legislators Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) and Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) criticized Pappas for an alleged remark that invoked castration when speaking about female autonomy at a town hall.[11]
Tax reforms
Pappas proposed House Bill 338 which would create an assessment freeze homestead exemption for persons receiving federal Supplemental Security Income; a means tested program that is part of the Social Security Act.[12] Pappas voted to place a referendum on the 2020 general election ballot that would allow the state of Illinois to repeal its current flat tax structure in favor of a progressive tax structure if passed by 60% of voters.[13] Pappas supported Senate Bill 1217, which lowered the amount of money that municipalities are required to devote to tourism from the hotel/motel tax from 100% to 75%.[14] The change had been long sought by local leaders in smaller towns to fund economic development efforts and infrastructure improvements.[15]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Diane Pappas | 20,383 | 50.84 | |
| Republican | Christine Jennifer Winger (incumbent) | 19,711 | 49.16 | |
| Total votes | 40,094 | 100.0 | ||
References
- Pappas, Diane (October 20, 2018). "Diane Pappas: Candidate profile" (Interview). Interviewed by Daily Herald Editorial Board. Arlington Heights, Illinois: Daily Herald. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
- Veeneman, Drew. "House District 45" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
- "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 23" (PDF). May 18, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- Barlow, Sarah E., ed. (November 15, 2018). "Biographies of New House Members" (PDF). First Reading. Illinois Legislative Research Unit. pp. 2–8. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- "Constitution of the State of Illinois Article IV - The Legislature". 1970. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- "Diane Pappas". Ballotpedia.
- "Illinois Rep. Diane Pappas (D) 45th district". Washington D.C.: Track Bill. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Pappas, Deb (February 7, 2019). "House Bill 2193 Inc Tx Soundproofing". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Conroy, Deb; Pappas, Diane (February 15, 2019). "House Bill 3473 INS CD Serious Mental Illness". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Miller, Rich (May 29, 2019). "RHA bill clears House 64-50-4". Capitol Fax. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Minnis, Glenn. "State Rep. Dianne Pappas fails to follow up on castration remark". dupagepolicyjournal.com.
- Pappas, Deb (February 15, 2019). "House Bill 2193 Prop Tx SSI Freeze". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Miller, Rich (May 27, 2019). "Graduated income tax amendment passes 73-44-1". Capitol Fax. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Cullerton, Thomas; Glowiak, Suzy (February 6, 2019). "Senate Bill 1217 Hotel Occupation and Use Revenue". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- Pulice, Nunzio (April 4, 2019). "Why Illinois should reform the hotel-motel tax". Letter to Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 10, 2019.