Constance
A. "Connie" Howard
(D-Chicago)
34th District
District
Office:
8729
S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 783-8800
(773) 783-8773 (fax)
270-S Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-6476
(217) 782-0952 (fax)
E-mail: staterep-constance-a-howard@comcast.net|
"I am dedicated to serving the people of my district and the state of Illinois by protecting our opportunity to succeed, our quality of life, and our right to equal protection under the law." - Connie Howard |
In the News Publications Bill
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Biography Community Involvement
Constance A. "Connie"
Howard was born December 14, 1942, and grew up on Chicago's South Side.
After graduating from Chicago's public schools, she attended Chicago State
University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and then
a Master's in Corrections and Criminal Justice.
Before entering politics, Howard was active in community issues. She worked
for the Illinois Department of Human Rights and also served as a reporter
covering the South Side for a community paper. It was her interest in community
issues that led Howard to a life of public service.
Howard has served as Democratic State Central Committeewoman for the 1st
Congressional District of Illinois since 1984. She was an
alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984 and 1988 and served as an elector during the 2000 and 2004 Democratic National Conventions..
Having earned a reputation as a bold, independent voice for the community,
Howard was elected to the Statehouse in 1994, and she has enjoyed the strong
support of voters ever since.
Rep. Howard serves as the Chairwoman of the Criminal Law Committee in the Illinois House of Representatives.
Rep. Howard's legislative priorities include:
During the 92nd General Assembly, Howard sponsored legislation to make it
easier for some individuals with criminal records to get a second chance
at life. The Second Chance Bill, which passed the House unanimously, helps
individuals whose convictions have been overturned clear their names and
gives individuals who have committed minor offenses a second chance.
Howard has received numerous awards and honors since being sworn into the
Legislature in 1995, including the Tech 2000 Legislator of the Year and
Chicago Area Project Legislator of the Year. In addition, she has been honored
by her colleagues as their selection for Chairman of the Illinois House
of Representatives Black Caucus, a coalition of minority legislators from
around the state and a member of the Conference of Women Legislators (COWL).
Connie and her husband Phillip L. Howard, Jr. have been married since 1963.
Connie and Phillip currently live in the Chatham-Chesterfield
neighborhood, just blocks from Chicago State University. She is the
proud mother of Phillip III, a pilot with Southwest Airlines, and has five
grandchildren.
Education
