History of Jan Schakowsky in Timeline

Jan Schakowsky is a U.S. Representative for Illinois's 9th district, serving since 1999. A Democrat, she previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1991 to 1998. As a politician, she focuses on policies related to consumer protection, healthcare, and social justice. She is known for her progressive stance and advocacy on various issues.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1933: Simele Massacre

On 1933, the Simele Massacre happened.

May 26, 1944: Janice Danoff Born

On May 26, 1944, Janice Danoff, who would later become Jan Schakowsky, was born.

1944: Birth in Chicago

In 1944, Janice Danoff (later Jan Schakowsky) was born in Chicago to Jewish immigrant parents, Tillie (née Cosnow) and Irwin Danoff.

1949: Sidney R. Yates Represented 9th district

Since 1949, Sidney R. Yates represented the 9th district (except for one term due unsuccessful run for the Senate in 1962).

1962: Sidney R. Yates' Unsuccessful Run for the Senate

In 1962, Sidney R. Yates had an unsuccessful run for the Senate.

1976: Program Director of Illinois Public Action

In 1976, Schakowsky became the Program Director of Illinois Public Action, the state's largest public interest group.

1985: Executive Director of Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens

In 1985, Schakowsky became the executive director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens.

1986: Ran for Cook County Board of Commissioners

In 1986, Schakowsky ran for the Cook County Board of Commissioners from suburban Cook County, winning the primary but losing in the general election.

1990: Executive Director of Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens Ended

In 1990, Schakowsky's service as executive director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens came to an end.

1991: Elected to Illinois House of Representatives

In 1991, Jan Schakowsky was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the fourth district.

1992: Explored Runs in Illinois's 9th Congressional District

In 1992, Schakowsky explored a run in Illinois's 9th congressional district, anticipating Sidney R. Yates' retirement.

1992: Redistricted to the 18th district

In 1992, Schakowsky was redistricted to represent the 18th district in the Illinois House of Representatives.

1994: Explored Runs in Illinois's 9th Congressional District

In 1994, Schakowsky explored a run in Illinois's 9th congressional district, anticipating Sidney R. Yates' retirement.

1996: Yates Announced Retirement

After his 1996 re-election, Yates announced that he would not seek further re-election in 1998.

1996: Explored Runs in Illinois's 9th Congressional District

In 1996, Schakowsky explored a run in Illinois's 9th congressional district, anticipating Sidney R. Yates' retirement.

1998: End of Service in Illinois Legislature

In 1998, Jan Schakowsky's service in the Illinois legislature came to an end.

1998: Faced Carroll and Pritzker in the primary

In 1998, Schakowsky faced then-Illinois state senator Howard W. Carroll and future Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker in the primary.

1999: U.S. Representative from Illinois's 9th congressional district

In 1999, Jan Schakowsky began serving as the U.S. Representative from Illinois's 9th congressional district, a position she has held since.

2004: Supported Barack Obama Before Primary Election

In 2004, Schakowsky was an early supporter of Barack Obama before he won the Illinois Democratic primary election.

2004: Endorsed for Vice President by The Nation

In 2004, The Nation endorsed Schakowsky as the best possible choice for vice president, comparing her to Paul Wellstone. However, she was not selected as John Kerry's running mate.

2005: Creamer Pleaded Guilty

In 2005, Robert Creamer pleaded guilty to failure to collect withholding tax and bank fraud. Schakowsky served on the organization's board during the time the crimes occurred, but was not accused of wrongdoing.

July 2006: Expressed Concern About Global Warming Report

In July 2006, during House hearings, Schakowsky voiced concern that a National Academy of Sciences report showing discrepancies among scientists studying global warming might be used to discredit the need for action on global warming.

February 7, 2007: Introduced Iraq and Afghanistan Contractor Sunshine Act

On February 7, 2007, Schakowsky introduced the Iraq and Afghanistan Contractor Sunshine Act (H.R. 897) in the House of Representatives, seeking information on federal agency contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan; however, the bill was not enacted.

2008: Supported Barack Obama's Presidential Bid

In 2008, Schakowsky actively supported Barack Obama's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

April 2009: Criticized Tax Day Tea Party Protests

In April 2009, Schakowsky criticized the tax day Tea Party protests, deeming them a "shameful political stunt" to cheapen American history.

April 2009: Supported Public Option in Health Insurance

In April 2009, Schakowsky expressed support for a public option in health insurance, stating it would lead to single-payer health care.

2009: Identified as Progressive Member of Congress

In 2009, Schakowsky was identified by GovTrack as among the most progressive members of the 111th United States Congress and was a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

2010: Redistricting Following the 2010 United States Census

Following the 2010 United States census, redistricting occurred, impacting Schakowsky's district, which includes Chicago's North Side and northern suburbs.

March 2015: Did Not Attend Netanyahu's Speech to Congress

In March 2015, Schakowsky did not attend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress, expressing concern it could harm negotiations with Iran in an article written in the Huffington Post.

March 2015: Criticized for Comments About Joel Pollak

In March 2015, the Orthodox Union criticized Schakowsky for describing Joel Pollak as a "Jewish, Orthodox, Tea Party Republican" at a J Street event, for which she later apologized.

2015: Inducted into Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame

In 2015, Schakowsky was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame as a Friend of the Community.

December 2016: Elected Congressional Progressive Caucus' Vice Chair

In December 2016, Schakowsky was elected the Congressional Progressive Caucus' vice chair and liaison to the Democratic Party Seniors taskforce.

2017: Early Supporter of Atour Sargon's Ideas

As early as 2017, Schakowsky was an early supporter of Assyrian American activist Atour Sargon's ideas and encouraged her to pursue a political career.

2017: Criticized Rex Tillerson's Policies

During the 2017 confirmation hearings of Rex Tillerson, Schakowsky criticized his support of policies that she alleged were detrimental to the future of Assyrian existence in Iraq.

2018: Spoke at Democratic Candidates' Forum

In 2018, Schakowsky spoke at the Democratic Candidates' Forums organized by Vote Assyrian.

2019: Assisted Atour Sargon's Trustee Campaign

In 2019, Schakowsky assisted Atour Sargon during her successful Trustee campaign in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

August 7, 2020: Released Statement on Simele Massacre Anniversary

On August 7, 2020, Schakowsky released a statement recognizing the anniversary of the 1933 Simele massacre.

October 1, 2020: Co-signed Letter on Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

On October 1, 2020, Schakowsky co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemning Azerbaijan’s offensive operations against Nagorno-Karabakh, denouncing Turkey’s role, and calling for a ceasefire.

December 2020: Named Executive Board Member of Congressional Progressive Caucus

In December 2020, Schakowsky was named as an executive board member at-large of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

2020: Spoke at Democratic Candidates' Forum

In 2020, Schakowsky spoke at the Democratic Candidates' Forums organized by Vote Assyrian, calling Assyrians "one of the fastest-growing communities in terms of political involvement".

February 2021: Voted for the Equality Act

In February 2021, Schakowsky voted for the Equality Act on behalf of her transgender grandson, Isaac.

July 20, 2022: Arrested in Front of Supreme Court

On July 20, 2022, Schakowsky was arrested in front of the Supreme Court building for allegedly blocking traffic during a protest. She referenced it on Twitter with "Today, I am making good trouble."

January 2023: Cosponsored Amendment to Lower Voting Age

In January 2023, Schakowsky cosponsored an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens 16 years of age or older.

2023: Voted in Favor of H.Con.Res. 21

In 2023, Schakowsky was among 56 Democrats who voted in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.

2023: Voted Against Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

In 2023, Schakowsky was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.

April 2024: Urged Reconsideration of Arms Shipments to Israeli Military

Following drone strikes on aid workers in April 2024, Schakowsky and other members of Congress urged President Joe Biden to reconsider planned arms shipments to the Israeli military.

2025: Comments on the Term "Manufacturing" Go Viral

In 2025, at a Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing, Schakowsky's comments suggesting the word "man" in "manufacturing" may deter women's involvement gained widespread attention and ridicule on social media.