Jan Schakowsky was elected to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District in 1998, after serving for eight years in the Illinois State Assembly. She is in her twelfth term.
Schakowsky serves in the House Democratic Leadership as a Senior Chief Deputy Whip. She is a member of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, House Budget Committee, as well as the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where she serves as Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and as a member of the Environment and Oversight & Investigations Subcommittees.
Today, our nation faces unprecedented environmental and energy challenges. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I am committed to promoting sustainable and renewable clean energy development, achieving energy independence through use of sustainable 21st-century technologies and increasing energy efficiency. I am also a strong environmentalist and believe we have a special responsibility to protect natural resources and species, national parks and wilderness areas and the future of our planet.
Having lived near Lake Michigan for my entire life, I have a particular interest in Great Lakes protection. I am working hard to promote clean air and clean water, prevent global warming, and prevent toxic emissions that threaten public health. More than any other issue, our approach to the environment will determine the health, well-being, and security of the American people and determine our ability to compete in the 21st century economy.