Gregory S. Harris (born June 5, 1955) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives in the 13th district from 2007 to 2023. He sponsored the Acts which legalized civil unions and same sex marriage in Illinois and rose to become House Majority Leader in 2019. Harris retired as Leader, not seeking reelection to the House in 2022.
Greg Harris | |
|---|---|
 Harris in 2009 | |
| Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
| In office January 9, 2019 – January 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Flynn Currie |
| Succeeded by | Robyn Gabel |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 13th district | |
| In office December 1, 2006 – January 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Larry McKeon |
| Succeeded by | Hoan Huynh |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 5, 1955 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Colorado, Boulder (BA) |
Early life and career
editHarris is an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Boulder. He then worked for social service agencies.[1] He served in senior positions with the National Home Furnishings Association. He then became chief of staff for Chicago alderman Mary Ann Smith, a position in which he served for 14 years.[2]
Legislative tenure
editLarry McKeon, who had held the seat for five terms, announced his intention to retire from the legislature in July 2006. He had, though, already been re-elected in the March primary election to be the Democratic candidate on the November general-election ballot, and it fell to the local Democratic committeemen to select his successor to appear on the ballot. Harris, like McKeon, is both openly gay and HIV-positive.[1] He was elected in November 2006.[1] No Republican filed for the District 13 seat.[3] He also ran unopposed for re-election in 2008.[4]
In 2010, Harris sponsored The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection & Civil Union Act (SB1716), which was signed into law on January 31, 2011, by Governor Pat Quinn. The act established civil unions in Illinois.[5]
In 2013, Harris was the lead sponsor in the IL House of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, signed into law by Governor Quinn, an act which legalized same-sex marriage in Illinois that went into effect in June 2014.[6]
On January 10, 2019, Harris became the House Majority Leader.[7]
On November 29, 2021, Harris announced that he would not seek reelection.[8]
As of July 3, 2022, Representative Harris is a member of the following Illinois House committees:[9]
- Personnel & Pensions Committee (HPPN)
- (Chairman of) Rules Committee (HRUL)
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris | 19,865 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 19,865 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 31,013 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 31,013 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 21,617 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 21,617 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 33,488 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 33,488 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 22,632 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 22,632 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 40,831 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 40,831 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 39,456 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 39,456 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Greg Harris (incumbent) | 46,016 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 46,016 | 100.0 | ||
References
edit- ^ a b c "McKeon Congratulates Greg Harris". Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2006-10-12.
- ^ White, Jesse, ed. (2019). "Legislators' Portraits and Biographies". Illinois Blue Book 2019-2020 (PDF). Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 66. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ Chicago Board of Elections
- ^ "Illinois State Board of Elections". Archived from the original on 2008-11-27. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ Garcia, Monique (February 2011). "Illinois Gov. Quinn signs civil union bill". St. Louis Post‑Dispatch. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
- ^ "After eight terms, Illinois House majority leader Greg Harris won't seek re-election".
- ^ Miller, Rich (January 10, 2019). "Madigan appoints Rep. Greg Harris as new Majority Leader". Capitol Fax. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ Hinton, Rachel (29 November 2021). "House Democratic leader Harris to end legislative run after giving 'a voice to so many who have continuously felt left out'". Chicago Sun-Times.
- ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Committees". ilga.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
- ^ "Election Results 2006 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2008 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2010 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
External links
edit- Representative Greg Harris (D) 13th District at the Illinois General Assembly
- State Representative Greg Harris constituency site
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Gregory Harris Archived 2011-01-12 at the Wayback Machine at Illinois House Democrats