Jan Schakowsky served as a Representative to the United States Congress, representing Illinois’ 9th congressional district, getting her start in politics as a community activist and organizer. Serving in Congress from 1999 to 2027, as well as the Illinois House of Representatives, she was a steadfast legislator for Evanston.
Summary: Born in 1944 in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, Janice “Jan” Schakowsky spent most of her life in service to the community. Briefly working as a teacher following her 1965 graduation from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, she soon became a homemaker. A housewife with a husband and two children, she had her political awakening in 1969 after a grocery store manager refused to tell other women how old the meat was. Schakowsky and other women in her community established the National Consumers United (NCU) group, tracking codes on packing to learn dates. After NCU published a book on how women across the country could decipher the codes, consumer-friendly food dating became the norm.
After her time with National Consumers Unite, she worked as the Program Director for Illinois Public Action and, later, the Executive Director for the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens. She served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1991 to 1998, representing the 4th District and later the 18th District (after redistricting). While in the Illinois General Assembly, she served as the Democratic Floor Leader and Secretary of the Conference of Women Legislators.
In 1998, Schakowsky began her campaign for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District to replace longtime representative Sidney Yates. She won the general election with 75% of the vote. Throughout her congressional career, she was a leading proponent for consumer protections, healthcare, reproductive rights, and seniors’ issues. Schakowsky also served as Senior Deputy Whip in the House Democratic Leadership and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues.
After serving 14 terms total, on May 5, 2025, Jan Schakowsky announced her plan to retire and not seek reelection. She said “For the last 26 years, I have had the distinct honor and privilege of representing the 9th Congressional District of Illinois, my lifelong home and the best district in the nation. Today, it is with profound gratitude and the utmost appreciation for my constituents that I announce my decision not to seek reelection at the end of my current term.” Upon announcing her retirement, tributes poured in for her time in public service. Considered a tireless advocate for women’s rights by her colleagues, many recognized her work as a trailblazer and an inspiration for other women hoping to serve.
Completed by Brenna Large for the Evanston Women’s History Project