Ellis B. Levin

Ellis B. Levin (born April 10, 1945) is a politician who served two nonconsecutive tenures (1977-1979 and 1981-1995) as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Biography

Ellis was born April 10, 1945. He graduated from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University School of Law. He served as a research assistant to Joseph Tydings, legislative policy officer for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and a legislative assistant to Leonard Farbstein.{{cite journal|author=|title=November for Upstate House|volume=2|issue=7|year=1976|issn=0738-9663|journal=Illinois Issues|publisher=Sangamon State University|url=https://www.lib.niu.edu/1976/ii760711.html}} In 1973, he moved to Edgewater and began to work for the Cook County State's Attorney. In 1976, he was one of three individuals elected to the Illinois House of Representatives from the 12th district along with William A. Marovitz and Arthur A. Telcser. He did not run for reelection in 1978 and was succeeded by John Cullerton. In 1980, he ran again and succeeded Marovitz who successfully ran for the Illinois Senate. After the Cutback Amendment eliminated multimember districts in favor of single member districts, Levin ran in and won the 5th district. He was handily reelected five times before losing the Democratic nomination to Sara Feigenholtz.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=78245|author=COSDem|title=Levin, Ellis B.|date=September 2, 2009|accessdate=July 16, 2017|publisher=Our Campaigns}}

During his legislative career, he was an active member of IVI-IPO serving as general counsel and chair for the Near North Side chapter. He has been named the IVI-IPO Best Legislator of the Year for every term in office beginning in 1980. He was the recipient of the ERA Leadership Award in 1982 and was recognized one year later by the Illinois Human Relations Association. In addition, he has been awarded the Illinois Pro-Choice Sylvia Award and the Glynn Sudbery Public Service Award.{{Cite web |title=Top Attorneys of North America |url=https://whoswhopr.com/2019/06/top-attorney-ellis-b-levin/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=whoswhopr.com}} He was a National Executive Committee and National Board member for Americans for Democratic Action.{{cite book|author=|title=Illinois Blue Book 1977-1978|publisher=Illinois Secretary of State|location=Springfield, Illinois|year=1978|accessdate=July 16, 2017|page=90|url=http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm/ref/collection/bb/id/38030}}