From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gregory S. Harris
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 2007
Preceded by	Larry McKeon
Born	June 5, 1955 (1955-06-05) (age 54) Denver, Colorado
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Chicago, Illinois

Gregory S. Harris is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, having represented the state's 13th district since 2007. He was elected in November 2006, having been selected by the 13th district's Democratic ward committeemen to replace Larry McKeon as the party's nominee on the November ballot.^[1] No Republican filed for the District 13 seat in downtown Chicago so he was elected unopposed.^[2] He also ran unopposed for re-election in 2008.^[3]

McKeon, who had held the seat for five terms, announced his intention to retire from the legislature in July 2006. He had, though, already been re-elected in the March primary election to be the Democratic candidate on the November general-election ballot, and it fell to the local Democratic committeemen to select his successor to appear on the ballot. Harris, like McKeon, is both openly gay and HIV-positive.^[1]

At the time of his selection, Harris had been chief of staff to Chicago’s 48th Ward Alderman Mary Ann Smith for 14 years. An alumnus of the University of Colorado, he had previously worked for social service agencies.^[1]

Harris is one of two openly gay members of the Illinois General Assembly, alongside Rep. Deb Mell (D–Chicago).

References

External links

• Greg Harris official campaign website
• Illinois General Assembly - Representative Greg Harris (D) 13th District official IL House website
  • Bills Committees
• Project Vote Smart - Representative Gregory 'Greg' Harris (IL) profile
• Follow the Money - Gregory Harris
  • 2006 campaign contributions
• Illinois House Democrats - Gregory Harris profile