Rep.
Joseph M. Lyons
(D-Chicago)
19th District
District
Office
5205 N. Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 286-1115
(773) 545-7106 (fax)
229-E Stratton Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8400
(217) 557-1934 (fax)
E-mail: lyonsjm@ilga.gov|
"Nobody has it all together, but together we
have it all. " -Fr. Chuck Faso, O.F.M. |
In the News Publications Bill
Sponsorships Committees District
Profile & Map *Bill
sponsorship and committee information courtesy of the Legislative Information
System
Biography
Joseph M. Lyons is in his eighth term as State Representative of the 19th House District. Appointed originally in 1996, Lyons brings a wealth of community commitment and professional qualifications and has consistently put the interests of his district first.
Senior issues are at the forefront of Rep. Lyons legislative agenda. Over the years he has been a champion to pharmaceutical assistance programs such as the Illinois Circuit Breaker and Pharmaceutical Assistance Program and the Senior Citizen Prescription Drug Discount Program that provides seniors with great discounts on their medications. Rep. Lyons was also one of the biggest advocates and a chief sponsor to the Illinois Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, where he is still creating additional laws to improve the program.
Education is another priority for Lyons. He has worked to increase school funding throughout the state by supporting the "Fund Education First Act." This legislation puts 51 percent of all new state money toward school funding every year until the state is able to provide half the cost of public education as required by the Illinois State Constitution. Lyons will continue to fight to improve education standards and funding for our local schools.
Lyons currently serves as the Manager of Training and Education for the Cook County Department of Human Resources. He is also a certified professional trainer for the Franklin Covey 7 HABITS Leadership Program, the AARP Pre-retirement program, and the American Management Association. He is an adjunct professor for the City-wide Colleges of Chicago, a board member of the Credit Union 1, a member of the International Personnel Management Association, and the International Society of Retirement Planners.
Lyons has coached Chicago Park District youth basketball and baseball programs at Sauganash, Peterson, Portage and Dunham Parks. An activist in his home parish of Our Lady of Victory, Lyons is a past president of the Holy Name Society, a member of the Parish Stewardship Committee, and an active school parent. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Jefferson Park Lions, a Misericordia volunteer, and serves on the Executive Board and Benefit Committee of St. Peter's Church in the Loop.
Lyons has received numerous Legislator of the Year Awards, including: the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Illinois Long Term Care Association, and the Combined Charities Association of Illinois. A third-generation resident of the Northwest Side, Lyons lives in Jefferson Park with his wife Kieran and their two children, Ellie and Joey. Rep. Lyons received both his Master's of Public Administration degree and Bachelor's of Science in Political Science and History degree from DePaul University in Chicago.
