Download Information on Rep. Dugan's 21st Annual Toy Drive

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Biography

Since taking office in 2003, State Representative Lisa Dugan has committed herself to being an involved, engaged, accessible and responsible advocate for the people of the 79th District. Whether it is working on legislation in Springfield or helping local residents access state services and programs, Dugan remains devoted to responsive constituent service. She is a full-time, independent-minded Representative who puts community first.

Dugan knows that a quality education, from kindergarten through college, is key to our children's future and one of the top concerns of the community. She is working with local parents, teachers and school officials to craft legislation that puts more dollars back in the classroom.

Dugan demonstrated her commitment to fiscal responsibility in her many roles as a community volunteer and as a member of the General Assembly. She will continue to watch over tax dollars closely. In times of economic distress and budget constraints, she will insist that we continue to invest in vital programs like health care and public safety while looking for more ways to make government more efficient and cutting bureaucratic red tape.

Dugan serves as Chair of the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee, Vice-Chair of the State Government Administration Committee, and is a member of the Agriculture and Conservation, Elementary and Secondary Education, Health Care Availability and Accessibility, Medicaid Reform - Family and Children, and Veterans Affairs committees.  She also serves on the House Bipartisan Task Force on Budget Reform and Spending Reductions and the State Commission on the Elimination of Poverty.

Dugan began volunteering her time with other local leaders to launch the Bradley-Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce. She joined the Chamber's staff in 1994 and served as the President/CEO from 1998 until becoming a member of the Illinois House in 2003. Her primary focus while leading the Chamber was to work with local businesses, labor and community leaders to promote economic development and increase dollars coming into the community. As the former head of an organization of nearly 500 businesses, Dugan knows how important it is to create a climate that encourages economic growth and job creation.

A union member, Dugan also understands the needs of working families. Before becoming a staff member at the Chamber, she worked as a union electrician with IBEW Local 176 in Joliet. She was the first woman from Kankakee County to become a certified union journeyman electrician and she served on the advisory board of "Women in Non-Traditional Jobs." She is a strong voice for basic workplace protections like fair wages, dependable benefits and safe work conditions.

Dugan has made community service the foundation of her life. She has served on over fifty boards and community planning organizations around Kankakee County and the surrounding region. Highlights include service to the Regional Planning Commission, Kankakee County United Way and the American Red Cross “Heroes Campaign.” She is a member of the Bradley-Bourbonnais Rotary Club, Zonta and is an honorary board member of the Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center.  She also volunteered time to raise funds for many local non-profit agencies including Harbor House, a domestic violence shelter, Options, an independent living center that advocates for persons with disabilities, Easter Seals, Victims Assistance and Pause for Patriotism.

In addition, in 2003 Dugan established a Community Service Scholarship Program to recognize students who have taken a proactive role in their community.  The scholarship provides financial assistance, donated from the lawmaker’s salary, to one senior from each high school in the 79th Representative District.

Lisa Dugan was born in Kankakee in 1955, one of six children of Len and Toni Scheppler. She attended East Ridge High School and married her husband Jack in 1979. They have two adult daughters, Danielle and Jaclyn, grandson Dugan and granddaughter Abigail.
The 79th District includes portions of Kankakee, Iroquois and Will counties.

RECENT HONORS AND AWARDS

• Mass Transit Advocate Award -Illinois Downstate Caucus
• Shining Star Award- Illinois Public Transit Association
• Legislator of the Year Award- Illinois HomeCare Council
• Activator Friend of Agriculture Award -Illinois Farm Bureau
• Legislator HERO Award-IllinoisVictims.org
• Legislator of Year Award - Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies
• Outstanding Legislator Award -Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
• Excellence in Public Service Award - Illinois Hospital Association
• Legislator of the Year Award- Life Services Network
• Legislator of the Year Award-Northern Illinois Alliance of Fire Protection Districts
• Honorary Fire Chief – Illinois Firefighters Association for Cornerstone Training Program
• Recognition Award – University of Illinois Fire Service Institute for Cornerstone Training Program
• Public Official of the Year – IL Association of Chiefs of Police

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