Senator Heather Steans Biography

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Heather A. Steans

Senator Heather A. Steans's Biography

Full Name:	Heather A. Steans
Office:	State Senate (IL) - District 7, Democratic
First Elected:	02/05/2008
Last Elected:	11/06/2012
Next Election:	2016

Gender:	Female
Family:	Husband: Leo Smith; 3 Children: Ryan, Sam, Abby
Birth Date:	05/08/1963
Birth Place:	Lake Forest, IL
Home City:	Chicago, IL

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MA, Public Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
BA, Urban Studies, Princeton University

Senator, Illinois State Senate, 2008-present

Former Member, Human Services Committee, Illinois State Senate
Former Vice Chair, Human Services Subcommittee on Medicaid, Illinois State Senate
Former Vice Chair, Subcommittee on Special Issues, Illinois State Senate

Strategic Planner, Chicago Public Schools
Budget Director, Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations

Board Chair, Chicago Public Radio
Member, Deans Alumni
Board Member, Erickson Institute
Member, Alumni Leadership Council, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Member, Leadership Council, Harvard University
Trustee, Steans Family Foundation
Board Member, WBEZ Public Radio
Former Chair, Donor's Forum

Awards:
Lung Health Champion Award, Respiratory Health Association, 2010
Outstanding Government Leadership Award, Illinois Recycling Association, 2010
Civic Leadership Award, Chicago Battered Women's Network, 2010
Leadership Award State Policymaker, Data Quality Campaign, 2009
Legislator of the Year Award, Arc of Illinois, 2009
Legislative Advocacy Award, Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence, 2009
Heartland Alliance 25th Anniversary Award, 2009
Legislative Lifesaver Award, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, 2009
Legislative Leadership Award, Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, 2008
Legislative Hero Award, illinoisvictims.org, 2008
Activator Award, Illinois Farm Bureau, 2008 and 2010
Kids Count Award, Voices for Illinois Children, 2008