Who is John Fritchey: Illinois State Representative

John Fritchey was born at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, but was raised in Chicago, where he attended The Latin School of Chicago. He received a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, and a law degree for Northwestern University. After graduation, he worked as an Illinois Assistant Attorney General.

In 1996, Fritchey was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives at the age of 32. Because of his youth at the time of his election and support from both established public officials and grassroots, he was called one of 100 Rising Stars to Watch by the Democratic Leadership Council. In his career as a state representative, John has focused on ethics, campaign finances, and consumer protection. He was named Democratic Leader of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission in 2001, and in 2002 helped pass the first significant campaign reform law in Illinois in years, outlawing the practice of campaign fundraising by state inspectors. In 2003, his work with another well known politician from Illinois - then State Senator Barack Obama - resulted in the passage of a comprehensive ethics bill in Illinois. Fritchey served as be Co-Chairman of the Tobacco Settlement Proceeds Committee and sponsored legislation to combine major healthcare initiatives with long-term savings and investment. He was also Chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee, where he led efforts to rein in escalating ATM fees, drafted and passed a law preventing retailers from printing full credit card numbers on receipts, and passed legislation out of the House to protect computer users from spyware.

In addition to his legislative work, Fritchey has taught as an adjunct professor in Political Science at Northwestern University. He has also created the John Fritchey Youth Foundation, designed to create educational and recreational opportunities for local children through academic and athletic programs.

Fritchey was a candidate for the 5th Congressional seat. The special election for Rahm Emanuel's former seat took place in the spring of 2009, and Michael Quigley was ultimately the winner.