Melissa Bean
Melissa Bean | |
|---|---|
| Born | Melissa Luburich January 22, 1962 |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Business executive |
| Years active | 2005–2011 (U.S. House of Representatives) |
| Known for | U.S. Representative from Illinois |
Melissa Bean (born Melissa Luburich on January 22, 1962) is an American political figure who represented in the U.S. House from 2005 until 2011. She is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Early life, education, and business career
Bean earned an associate degree from Oakton Community College in 1982 and later obtained a bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University in 2002. Prior to her congressional service, she led Sales Resources Inc., a business operated from her home.
Elections
- 2002
In 2002, Bean contested against incumbent Republican Phil Crane, securing 43% of the vote despite limited financial support from her party. The district had a strong Republican history and was redrawn to favor Crane.
- 2004
Bean challenged Crane once more in 2004, nearly matching his fundraising efforts, largely through individual contributions. With backing from prominent local newspapers and national Democratic funds, she won with 52% of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1935.
- 2006
Although representing a predominantly Republican district and as a first-term congresswoman, Bean was prioritized by the DCCC. She defeated Republican David McSweeney with 51% to 44%, receiving endorsements from all major local newspapers once again.
- 2008
Bean secured reelection by a substantial margin against businessman Steve Greenberg, winning 60% to 40%. Despite having voted to condemn MoveOn.org's controversial advertisement in 2007, Greenberg criticized her for previously accepting over $80,000 in contributions from the group.
- 2010
In a narrow contest, Bean was defeated by Republican Joe Walsh by just 291 votes. The Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer garnered approximately 6,400 votes—more than Walsh's margin of victory. Despite endorsements from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, and Lake County News-Sun, Bean conceded the race.
Tenure
During her time in Congress, Bean was affiliated with both the Blue Dog Coalition and the New Democrat Coalition.
She served on the Small Business and Financial Services committees. While House Democrats typically do not serve on multiple committees when assigned to Financial Services, Bean received special permission from party leadership.
Her legislative record reflects opposition to oil drilling in Lake Michigan, a vital water source for her constituency. Diverging from many Democrats, she supported the 2006 extension of roughly $70 billion in tax cuts, permanent reductions in estate taxes, and a presidential line-item veto authority. Bean was among fifteen Democrats endorsing the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). In 2009, she voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the American Clean Energy and Security Act, as well as co-sponsoring the Employee Free Choice Act.
Bean opposed President Bush’s troop "surge" strategy in Iraq, expressing in early 2006 that it failed to constitute a new approach. On social matters, she holds a pro-choice stance and supported the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Nevertheless, she was one of four Democrats who voted against the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, aligning with most Republicans in preventing its passage under suspension of rules.
Committee roles
Election results
After Congress
In 2011, Bean assumed the role of President and CEO at the Executives Club of Chicago. Following her tenure as chair of JPMorgan Chase's Midwest division, she was named CEO of Mesirow Wealth Advisors, a division within Mesirow Financial, in 2019.
Personal life
Bean lives in Palatine Township, an unincorporated area in Cook County, Illinois, alongside her husband and their two children. Their residence was originally located in the 8th Congressional District but was reassigned to the 10th District after redistricting. She practices the Serbian Orthodox faith.
See also
External links
- 1962 births
- Living people
- Female members of the United States House of Representatives
- People from Barrington, Illinois
- Politicians from Chicago
- Roosevelt University alumni
- American people of Serbian descent
- Women in Illinois politics
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Eastern Orthodox Christians from the United States
- 21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives
- JPMorgan Chase people