Karen Tallian

Karen Tallian
Member of the Indiana Senate from the 4th district
In office 2005 -
Personal details
Born	(1950-12-02) December 2, 1950 Streator, Illinois
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	divorced
Residence	Ogden Dunes, Indiana
Alma mater	University of Chicago, Valparaiso University
Profession	attorney

Karen R. Tallian (born December 2, 1950) is a Democratic member of the Indiana Senate, representing the 4th District, since her appointment in December 2005.

Senator Tallian is championed among Indiana citizens who wish for marijuana decriminalization, having authored 2 bills in its favor. Known for her marijuana activisim, Tallian has issued 5 total bills, since joing the office to decriminalize or legalzie marijuana.

Personal Details

Education

Tallian earned her B.A. in Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Chicago in 1972, an associate’s degree from Chicago’s Harrington Institute of Design postgradute, and her J.D. from Valparaiso University in 1990.

Prior to Senate

She has professional experience working as an Adjunct Professor for Valparaiso University Law School, attorney for the Portage Township Trustee, the Portage Fire Department, the Porter County Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals, attorney for Hilbnich Law, attorney for Bruce Clark and Associates and attorney/Partner for Eberhard and Gastineau since 1998. Karen also served as President and board member of the Portage Parks Foundation, President of the Porter County League of Women Voters and the Director of the State Board of the League of Women Voters.

Family

She has three adult children; Mike is a Portage firefighter, Christopher works in Chicago and attends school and the daughter Aimee is working in Montana for the National Parks Service. Tallian resides in Portage,Indiana.

Political Career

Political Positions

She was first elected to the State Senate in December 2005, then re-elected in 2006, 2010 and 2014. She represents District 4, D-Portage, which includes portions of Porter and LaPorte counties.

Commitee Assignments

She is currently a member of Appropriations and Pensions and Labor, Labor and Economic Development, Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, State Budget Committee, Senate Committees on Corrections and Criminal Law, Environmental Affairs and Rules and Legislative Procedure, Environmental Quality Service Council, and Pension Management Oversight Commission.

She recieved the title of Ranking Democrat for the Appropriations and Pensions and Labor Committee and Pensions & Labor Committee.

First Term

November 7, 2006, Democrat Karen Tallian won re-election to the Indiana State Senate District 4 receiving 19,431 votes, beating Republican member Dale Brewer receiving 11,622 votes

Candidate	Affiliation	Support	Outcome
Karen Tallian	Democrat	19,431	Won
Dale Brweer	Republican	11,622	Lost

Awards

Tallian recieved the Joan Laskowski Legislator of the Year Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana in 2008. In 2010, she recieved the the Tommie Blaylock Award for Outstanding Leadership by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local #104. Following her award in 2010, she was inducted into The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana.

External links

• State Senator Karen Tallian official Indiana State Legislature site
• State Senator Karen Tallian official campaign website
• Profile at Vote Smart
• The Herald Bulletin "Online Article about her Marijuana Bills"