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'{{Infobox State Senator |name = Tom Cullerton |image = <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people - see [[WP:NONFREE]] --> |alt = |caption = |birth_date ={{birth date and age|1969|09|20}} |birth_place = |death_date = |death_place = |restingplace = |restingplacecoordinates = |birthname = |nationality = <!-- political --> |state_senate = Illinois |district = 23rd |term_start = {{start date|2013|Jan|9}} |term_end = |predecessor = [[Carole Pankau]] |successor = |office4 = [[Mayor|Village President]] of [[Villa Park, Illinois|Villa Park]] |district4 = |term_start4 = {{start date|2009|May}} |term_end4 = {{end date|2013|May}} |predecessor4 = Joyce Stupegia |successor4 = Deborah Bullwinkel <!-- personal --> |party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |otherparty = <!--For additional political affiliations--> |spouse = |partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married--> |relations = |children = |residence = [[Villa Park, Illinois]] |alma_mater = [[University of Kansas]] |occupation = |profession = [[Teamsters|Teamster Route Salesman]] |committees = |religion = [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] |signature = |signature_alt= |website = |footnotes = <!-- militaryservice --> |allegiance = {{flag|United States}} |branch = [[File:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|20px|United States Army seal]] [[United States Army]] |serviceyears = 1991–1993 |rank = |unit = }} '''Tom Cullerton''' is a member of the [[Illinois Senate]] representing the 23rd district since 2013.<ref name=Sworn-in>{{cite web|url= http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2013/01/new-faces-in-illinois-senate.html|title=New Faces in the 98th Session's Illinois Senate |author=Easton, Fran|publisher= Illinois Review|date=2013-01-09|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> The 23rd district spans northern [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage County]] and includes all or parts of [[Addison, Illinois|Addison]], [[Bloomingdale, Illinois|Bloomingdale]], [[Bartlett, Illinois|Bartlett]], [[Carol Stream, Illinois|Carol Stream]], [[Glendale Heights, Illinois|Glendale Heights]], [[Hanover Park, Illinois|Hanover Park]], [[Itasca, Illinois|Itasca]], [[Villa Park, Illinois|Villa Park]], [[West Chicago, Illinois|West Chicago]], [[Wayne, Illinois|Wayne]] and [[Wood Dale, Illinois|Wood Dale]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ilhousedems.com/redistricting/2011-maps/Legislative_Districts_Public_Act/LD23.pdf|author=|title=PA 97-0006 Legislative District 23|date=2011-05-18|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> Prior to his service in the [[Illinois Senate]] he was the Village President of Villa Park from 2009 to 2013 and served one term as a village trustee from 2005 to 2009.<ref name=CANDIDATE-PROFILE>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120918/submitted/309189753/|title=Daily Herald Candidate Profile 2012|publisher=Daily Herald|date=2012-09-21|accessdate=2015-09-05}}</ref> ==Early & Personal Life== After graduating high school from [[Loyola Academy]] Cullerton went to [[Kansas University]]. In 1990 Cullerton enlisted in the [[United States Army|US Army]] and served as an 11H TOW Gunner and combat medic until being honorably discharged in 1993. After moving to DuPage County, Cullerton decided to become active in the community. He formed and served as a captain a local [[neighborhood watch]]. He also became a member of the [[Knights of Columbus]], the [[American Legion]], and coaches little league with his team winning the 2011 Farm League World Series.<ref name=CANDIDATE-PROFILE></ref> ==Village President of Villa Park== In 2005 Tom Cullerton was elected a trustee for Villa Park. He served one term before defeating incumbent Joyce Stupegia in a three way race to become Village President in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=260452|author=Grondin, Kathryn|title=Three candidates to vie for Villa Park president|publisher=Daily Herald|date=2008-12-25|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> While in office he was an active member of the DuPage Mayors & Managers Conference and the Metropolitan Mayors.<ref name=CANDIDATE-PROFILE></ref> While Village President, the other mayors from municipalities in DuPage County Board District 2 elected him to serve as their representative on the DuPage Water Commission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpwc.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/Minutes/Commission/Commission%20Minutes%20110113.pdf|author= Recording Secretary|title=Minutes of a Meeting of the DuPage Water Commission Held on Jan 13, 2011 at 600 E. Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst, IL|publisher=DuPage Water Commission |date=2011-01-13|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> Later that year, Cullerton was recognized by the [[Sierra Club]] for reducing the village's carbon footprint via Cool Cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triblocal.com/villa-park/community/stories/2011/09/dupage-riders-geared-up-for-moving-planet/|author=Morris, Lonnie|title=DuPage Riders Geared Up for Moving Planet|publisher=Trib Local|date=2011-09-26|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> In the 2013 municipal elections, Cullerton was succeeded as Village President by Deb Bullwinkle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130610/news/706109856/|author= Wilson, Marie|title= 'New day in Villa Park' for new Mayor Bullwinkel|publisher=Daily Herald |date=2013-06-11|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> ==Illinois Senate== ===Election=== In November 2011 Tom Cullerton announced his candidacy for state senate in the newly redrawn 23rd district. In the March 2012 primary he won the Democratic nomination defeating two perennial candidates.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.elections.state.il.us/ElectionInformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=32&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=5698&QueryType=Office& |author= |title= General Primary Results 03/20/2012 – 23rd Senate District |publisher= Illinois State Board of Elections |accessdate=2012-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120320/news/703209594/|author= Wilson, Marie |title= Cullerton Lead Holding in 23rd Senate |publisher= Daily Herald |accessdate=2012-12-19}}</ref> In the general election he faced incumbent State Senator [[Carole Pankau]], the winner of the Republican nomination against State Representative [[Harry R. Ramey, Jr.|Randy Ramey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.state.il.us/ElectionInformation/VoteTotalsList.aspx?ElectionType=GP&ElectionID=32&SearchType=OfficeSearch&OfficeID=5698&QueryType=Office&|author= |title= General Primary Results 03/20/2012 – 23rd Senate |publisher= Illinois State Board of Elections |accessdate=2012-12-19}}</ref> Cullerton was endorsed by the [[AFL-CIO|Illinois AFL-CIO]], Personal PAC, Equality Illinois and the [[Sierra Club|Illinois Sierra Club]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cullertonfor23.com/endorsements |author= |title= Endorsements |publisher= Friends of Tom Cullerton |accessdate=2012-12-19}}</ref> Tom Cullerton won the general election defeating 20 year Springfield incumbent [[Carole Pankau|Senator Pankau]] by a margin of a little over 2,000 votes<ref>{{cite web |url= http://electionresults.dupageco.org/Results/2012/General/candidates-1.htm |author= General Election Results 2012 |title= General Primary Results 03/20/2012 – 23rd Senate|publisher= DuPage County Election Commission |accessdate=2012-12-19}}</ref> to become the first Democratic member of the Illinois Senate from DuPage County since [[Joseph Sam Perry]] left the Illinois Senate in 1943.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/16284010-418/a-democrat-from-dupage-heads-to-senate-in-springfield.html |author= McKinney, Dave|title= Democrat From DuPage Heads to Senate in Springfield |publisher= Chicago Sun Times |accessdate=2012-12-19}}</ref> ===Tenure=== Senator Cullerton was first sworn in to represent the 23rd district on January 9, 2013.<ref name=Sworn-in></ref> At the beginning of the General Assembly, Senator Cullerton joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers who turned down a pension as part of the effort to fix the state's pension system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130122/news/701229703/|author=Graham, Doug T.|title=Some suburban lawmakers forgo pensions|publisher=Daily Herald|accessdate=2013-02-15}}</ref> In January 2013, Senator Cullerton proposed his first bill which would allow county boards to more easily reduce crime in residential areas by adopting crime free rental housing ordinances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1155&GAID=12&SessionID=85&LegID=71127|author=|title=Bill Status of SB1155|publisher=Illinois General Assembly |accessdate=2013-01-30}}</ref> ====Government Consolidation==== In 2012, DuPage County performed a review that found a variety of [[Special-purpose district|small units of government]] that provide [[mosquito control|mosquito abatement]], sanitary and street lighting services cost taxpayers $300 million annually.<ref name=DUPAGE-ACT>{{cite web|url=https://www.dupageco.org/CountyBoard/Docs/Crowe_Reports/36742/|author= Crowe Horwath staff|title= Final Report on Assessment of DuPage County Boards and Commissions|publisher=DuPage County|date=2012-05-30|accessdate=2015-09-05}}</ref> These districts included small entities such as the one square mile Century Hill Street Lighting District<ref> https://www.dupageco.org/CountyBoard/Appointive_Bodies/Docs/36854/</ref> whose board members had wanted to dissolve the district, but were unable to.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-05/news/ct-met-quinn-dupage-consolidation-0805-20130805_1_new-law-dupage-county-bureaucrats|author=Melissa Jenco and Matthew Walberg|title=New law allows DuPage to shrink government|publisher=Chicago Tribune|date=2013-08-05|accessdate=2015-09-05}}</ref> In response, Cullerton introduced SB 494 as a pilot program to allow for consolidation of these types of government bodies. The bill would allow the DuPage County Board to pass ordinances to dissolve thirteen small units of government after an audit issued by the [[County executive|County Board Chair]] was completed. The dissolution of a district could to be overturned via [[referendum]] by voters in that district. <ref name=SB494>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=494&GAID=12&GA=98&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=69821&SessionID=85|author=Staff|title= Bill Status of SB0494 98th General Assembly|publisher=Illinois General Assembly|date=2013-01-23|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> The bill’s cosponsors included suburban legislators and it was supported by Republican County Board Chair [[Daniel Cronin|Dan Cronin]].<ref name=SB494></ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/bill-to-allow-additional-county-cutbacks-passes-gener9c3de301b1|author=Eriksen, Charlotte|title=Bill to Allow Additional County Cutbacks Passes General Assembly: Senate Bill 494 would allow DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin to make additional cuts to county operations|publisher=Patch.com|date=2013-05-22|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> On April 25, the bill was passed unanimously in the Illinois Senate<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/98/senate/09800SB0494_04252013_021000T.pdf|author= |title= Senate Vote Senate Bill No. 494: Third Reading |publisher=Illinois General Assembly|date=2013-04-25|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> and on May 6, its house counterpart sponsored by [[Deb Conroy]] passed the [[Illinois House of Representatives]] with 108 yes votes.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/98/house/09800SB0494_05142013_007000T.pdf|author= |title= House Vote Senate Bill No. 494: Third Reading |publisher=Illinois General Assembly|date=2013-05-06|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> The bill was signed into law by [[Pat Quinn (politician)|Pat Quinn]] in August.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130802/news/708029823/|author=Sanchez, Robert|title=Quinn signs law to help DuPage consolidation efforts|date=2013-08-02|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> Since then, DuPage County has been able to pass an ordinance to dissolve the Fairview Fire Protection District.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dupageco.org/CountyBoard/Docs/46250/|author= |title= OFI-002-14: An Ordinance Dissolving the Fairview Fire Protection District Under P.A. Act 98-0126|date=2014-03-24|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> In 2015, Representative [[Jack D. Franks|Jack Franks]] a co-sponsor of SB 494 proposed legislation to give [[McHenry County, Illinois|McHenry]] and [[Lake County, Illinois|Lake]] counties the same ability to consolidate small, special purpose districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nwherald.com/2015/04/28/jack-franks-trying-to-remove-government-consolidation-bill-sponsor/ao56trj/|author=Craver, Kevin|title=Jack Franks trying to remove government consolidation bill sponsor|date=2015-04-28|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> ====Education==== Concerned that Illinois had some of the weakest civic education programs in the country, Cullerton and State Representative [[Deb Conroy]] proposed the creation of the Task Force on Civic Education.<ref name=CivicsTaskforce>{{citation|url= http://www.crfc.org/news/illinois-general-assembly-creates-task-force-civic-education|author=Chavkin, Nisan|title=Illinois Task Force on Civic Education|publisher=Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago|page=|date=2013-05-17|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> The commission recommended Illinois establish a requirement for a civics course as a part of a broader revision of the state’s social studies standards, that the state establish a project-based and/or service learning requirement, student involvement in elections and professional development for teachers who teach civics.<ref name=CivicsReport>{{Citation|url=http://www.isbe.net/reports/il-civic-ed-task-force2014.pdf|author=McCusker, Sarah|title=Illinois Task Force on Civic Education|publisher=[[Illinois State Board of Education]]|page=8-9|date=2014-05-28|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> After the task force released its findings, Cullerton introduced a bill which would put the task force’s recommendations into place.<ref name=CivicsBill>{{cite web|url= http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=4025&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=90242&SessionID=88|author=Staff|title= Bill Status of HB2428 98th General Assembly|date=2015-02-27|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sj-r.com/article/20150512/NEWS/150519813|author=Richardson, Seth A.|title=Bill requiring civics class for high school graduation passes Senate committee|date=2015-05-12|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> The bill passed the Senate with 46 votes and passed the House with 81 votes.<ref name=CivicsBill></ref> The [[McCormick Foundation]] and other non-profit organizations pledged $3 million dollars to cover the costs of civics education training for teachers in poorer school districts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2015/06/illinois_civics_bill_heads_to_.html|author=Brown, Jessica|title= Illinois Civics Bill Heads to Governor's Desk|date=2015-06-04|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> The bill was signed into law by [[Bruce Rauner]] on August 21, 2015 to take effect during the 2016-2017 school year.<ref name=CivicsBill></ref> Citing the rising costs associated with a college education, Cullerton served as the co-sponsor of a bill that would allow students who achieve at least a 3 on an AP test making Illinois competitive with neighboring states who have that policy. The colleges themselves would be allowed to decide the number of credits granted for a particular score.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3428&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=89613&SessionID=88|title=Bill Status of HB3428 99th General Assembly|date=2015-02-26|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> ====Anti-heroin legislation==== DuPage County, the bulk of Cullerton’s district, has seen an increase in heroin use in the county. This was accompanied by an epidemic of overdoses and at one point the county was averaging one overdose death per week.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.wooddale.com/city-departments/police/police-programs-and-information/heroin-in-dupage-county|author=Staff|title=Heroin Use in DuPage County|publisher=Wood Dale Police Department|page=|date=|accessdate=2015-09-08}}</ref> In 2014, DuPage County began to train officers in the use of [[Naloxone|Narcan]], a medication that reverses the effect of opioids like heroin in overdoses.<ref>{{Citation|url= http://abc7chicago.com/news/dupage-county-using-narcan-program-to-stop-heroin-overdoses/353764/|author=Holmes, Evelyn|title= DuPage County using NARCAN program to stop heroin overdoses|publisher=[[WLS-TV]]|page=|date=2014-10-16|accessdate=2015-09-08}}</ref> Since the start of the program, twenty five overdose deaths have been prevented through the use of Narcan by first responders.<ref>{{Citation|url= http://abc7chicago.com/news/dupage-county-using-narcan-program-to-stop-heroin-overdoses/353764/|author=Holmes, Evelyn|title= DuPage County using NARCAN program to stop heroin overdoses|publisher=[[WLS-TV]]|page=|date=2014-10-16|accessdate=2015-09-08}}</ref> In 2015, Cullerton served as Chief Co-sponsor of SB 10 which would amend the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act to allow local law enforcement to the list of entities that may apply for grants to create or support local drug overdose prevention, recognition, and response projects including grants for training in the use of narcan to stop overdoses.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0010&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=83724&SessionID=88|author=|title=Bill Status of SB0010 (99th General Assembly): DHS-Drug Overdose Prevention|publisher=[[Illinois General Assembly]]|page=|date=2015-01-15|accessdate=2015-09-08}}</ref> In September, Cullerton voted to override Bruce Rauner's veto of the Heroin Crisis Act.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/99/senate/09900HB0001_09092015_001000M.pdf|author=|title=House Bill No. 1 Override Amendatory Veto Motion in Writing: Third Reading}}</ref> ====Crowdfunding==== Cullerton served as the Chief Senate Sponsor for HB 3429. HB 3429 would [[crowdfunding exemption movement|create an intrastate exemption for crowdfunding]]. Under the bill nonaccredited investors who meet certain income criteria would be able to invest $5,000 per company per year. The bill was signed into law by Governor Rauner on July 29, 2015 to take effect January 1, 2016.<ref name>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=3429&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=89614&SessionID=88|author=Staff|title= Bill Status of HB3429 99th General Assembly: Intrastate Offerings Exemption|date=2015-02-26|accessdate=2015-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/ct-rauner-equity-crowdfunding-bill-bsi-20150729-story.html|author= Meg Graham and John Carpenter|title=Rauner signs equity crowdfunding bill into law|date=2015-07-29|accessdate=2015-09-08}}</ref> ====Veterans Affairs==== In 2014, citing an increase in [[United States military veteran suicide|suicide among U.S. military veterans]] Cullerton sponsored legislation to create the Illinois Veteran Suicide Task Force. The task force is charged with investigating the causes of veteran suicide and forming policy recommendations for the [[Illinois General Assembly]] to act on. Cullerton, a veteran of the United States Army, was appointed to the task force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/tom-cullerton-selected-serve-veteran-suicide-task-force-0|author=Tandon, Rita|title=Tom Cullerton selected to serve on Veteran Suicide Task Force|date=2015-08-24|accessdate=2015-11-27}}</ref> ===Committee Assignments=== In the 99th General Assembly Senator Cullerton is a member of the following committees; Appropriations II, Labor, State Government & Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Energy and Public Utilities and the [[Committee of the Whole]]. He also serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Local Government committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=2213|author=|title= Senator Thomas Cullerton (D) 23rd District|publisher=Illinois General Assembly date=2015-01-14|accessdate=2015-09-07}}</ref> ==Planned Parenthood== Senator Cullerton takes campaign donations from and is endorsed by Planned Parenthood despite claiming to be Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Pro-Life Catholic organization and fraternity ==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change | title = Illinois State Senate 23rd District General Election, 2012}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = '''Thomas E Cullerton''' |votes = '''39,025''' |percentage = '''51.33''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Carole Pankau (incumbent) |votes = 37,008 |percentage = 48.67 |change = }} {{Election box gain with party link no change| |winner = Democratic Party (United States) |loser = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 76,033 | percentage = 100 |swing = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = Illinois State Senate District 23 Democratic Primary, 2012 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = '''Thomas E Cullerton''' | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = '''3,130''' | percentage = '''40.76''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Kevin Allen | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 2,344 | percentage = 30.52 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Greg Brownfield | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 2,206 | percentage = 28.72 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 7,680 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title=Village President of Villa Park election, 2009}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Independent (politician) |candidate = '''Thomas Cullerton''' |votes = '''1,872''' |percentage = '''53.81''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Independent (politician) |candidate = Albert Bulthuis |votes = 1,133 |percentage = 32.57 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Independent (politician) |candidate = Joyce Stupegia (incumbent) |votes = 474 |percentage = 13.62 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 3479 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}} ==See also== *[[Illinois Senate]] *[[Illinois Senate elections, 2012]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://my.ilga.gov/Member/Index/2025?tab=1&chamber=S Biography, bills and committees] at the 99th Illinois General Assembly **By session: [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?MemberID=2213 99th], [http://www.ilga.gov/senate/Senator.asp?GA=98&MemberID=2025 98th] *[http://senatortomcullerton.com/ State Senator Tom Cullerton] constituency site *{{CongLinks | ballot = Tom_Cullerton | nndb = | votesmart = 106891 | followthemoney = 413187 | c-span = | imdb = }} *[http://www.senatedem.ilga.gov/index.php/sen-t-cullerton-home Senator Thomas Cullerton] at Illinois Senate Democrats {{Illinois State Senators}} {{Persondata | NAME = Cullerton, Tom | ALTERNATIVE NAMES =Cullerton, Thomas | SHORT DESCRIPTION =Illinois politician | DATE OF BIRTH =September 20, 1969 | PLACE OF BIRTH =Chicago, Illinois | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Cullerton, Tom}} [[Category:Illinois State Senators]] [[Category:Illinois Democrats]] [[Category:1969 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Villa Park, Illinois]] [[Category:Teamsters]] [[Category:University of Kansas alumni]] [[Category:Illinois city council members]] [[Category:Mayors of places in Illinois]] [[Category:American people of Irish descent]] [[Category:United States Army personnel]]'