Lindsey LaPointe

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Lindsey LaPointe

|state_house = Illinois

|district = 19th

|term_start = July 24, 2019

|term_end =

|predecessor = Robert Martwick

|successor =

|birth_date =

|birth_place = Portland, Maine, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Democratic

|education = Grinnell College (BA)
University of Illinois, Chicago (MSW)

}}

Lindsey LaPointe is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 19th district. The district, located in the Chicago area, includes parts of Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, and River Grove and includes parts of the Chicago neighborhoods of Dunning, Forest Glen, Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, O'Hare, and Portage Park.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/SLD_RefMap/lower/st17_il/sldl17019/DC10SLDL17019_001.pdf|title=STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: State House District 19 (Illinois)|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=August 20, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://data.cityofchicago.org/Facilities-Geographic-Boundaries/Boundaries-Community-Areas-current-/cauq-8yn6|title=Boundaries – Community Areas (current)|publisher=City of Chicago|access-date=March 17, 2019}}

Early life, education, and career

LaPointe earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Grinnell College and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago.{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/1/22/21062352/lindsey-lapointe-illinois-house-19th-district-democratic-candidate-2020-primary-election-state-rep|title=Meet Lindsey LaPointe, Illinois House 19th District Democratic primary candidate|last=CST Editorial Board|date=January 22, 2020|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2020}} She was the program manager of Adult Redeploy Illinois at the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, an agency that works with county officials on court-based alternatives to incarceration.{{Cite news|last=Kapos|first=Shia|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/illinois-playbook/2019/07/22/arena-holds-cards-close-to-his-chest-il-gop-mired-in-squad-facebook-flap-zip-code-breakdown-of-fair-tax-460455|title=ARENA holds cards close to his chest — IL GOP MIRED in 'squad' Facebook flap — ZIP CODE breakdown of 'fair tax'|date=July 22, 2019|work=Politico|access-date=January 5, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.replapointe.com/about-lindsey/|title=About Lindsey|website=Lindsey LaPointe State Representative|language=en-US|access-date=March 2, 2020}} She has cited her frustration with the impact of the Illinois Budget Impasse on the agency as one of her motivations to enter politics.{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/il-womens-caucus-rep-lapointe-making-difference|title=IL Women's Caucus: Rep. LaPointe Making a Difference|last=Astales|first=Helen|date=February 4, 2020|website=Chicago, IL Patch|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2020}} She also worked as project manager of justice reform at Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI).{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/2/25/21146095/lindsey-lapointe-illinois-house-19th-district-democratic-2020-primary-election-endorsement|title=ENDORSEMENT: Lindsey LaPointe for Illinois House in 19th District Democratic primary|last=CST Editorial Board|date=February 25, 2020|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2020}}

Her early engagement in electoral politics included organizing for congressman Jesús "Chuy" García. She served as vice president of the 45th Ward Independent Democrats organization, and was a delegate to the Illinois Women's Institute for Leadership in 2018.

From 2014 to 2018, she served vice president of the board of Hands to Help Ministries, a non-profit organization focused on addressing homelessness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.handstohelpministries.org/what-we-do|title=What We Do|website=Hands To Help|language=en-US|access-date=March 2, 2020}} She currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Social Inclusion at the Jane Addams College of Social Work.

Illinois State Representative (2019–present)

= Appointment and 2020 election =

On July 24, 2019, LaPointe was appointed to serve as representative for the 19th district in the Illinois House for the remainder of outgoing representative Robert Martwick's term. Martwick had in turn been appointed as state senator for the 10th district to replace John Mulroe. Vacancies in the Illinois state legislature are filled by the party of the outgoing officeholder, and the Cook County Democratic Party delegates this decision to ward and township committeepeople who receive weighted votes based on previous election results. John Arena, committeeman for the 45th ward and former alderman for the ward, held 47 percent of the weighted vote, while Martwick held 33 percent of the vote as committeeman for the 38th ward.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2JLzlVP|title=ARENA holds cards close to his chest — IL GOP MIRED in 'squad' Facebook flap — ZIP CODE breakdown of 'fair tax'|last1=Kapos|first1=Shia|last2=Hurst|first2=Adrienne|website=POLITICO|language=en|access-date=July 22, 2019}} Both Arena and Martwick supported LaPointe in the appointment vote.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2ZaclVV|title=LIGHTFOOT's BIG WIN and HOT MIC — FAIR WORK WEEK passes — RODNEY DAVIS' fake news|last1=Kapos|first1=Shia|last2=Hurst|first2=Adrienne|date=July 25, 2019|website=POLITICO|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2020}} Timothy Heneghan, the 41st ward committeeman who had unsuccessfully sought appointment to the senate vacancy that Martwick filled, accused the process of being a "back room deal."{{Cite news|title=Lindsey LaPointe appointed to fill state rep vacancy in 19th Illinois House District|url=http://nadignewspapers.com/2019/07/24/lindsey-lapointe-appointed-to-fill-state-rep-vacancy-in-19th-illinois-house-district/|last=Nadig|first=Brian|date=July 24, 2019|work=Nadig Newspapers|access-date=August 20, 2019}}

LaPointe ran for a full two-year term in the 2020 Illinois elections. In the Democratic primary election for the seat, she faced Chicago police officer Joe Duplechin and former WGN radio personality Patti Vasquez.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-illinois-house-endorsements-2-20200220-nj3ggj5qirbaxgq5vknyht67ce-story.html|title=Editorial: Choices for Illinois House: Kalish, LaPointe, Tillman, Flowers, Thapedi, Krishnamsetty|last=Chicago Tribune Editorial Board|date=February 20, 2020|website=chicagotribune.com|access-date=March 2, 2020}} She has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot,{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/mayor-lightfoot-endorses-lindsey-lapointe-illinois-house-seat|title=Mayor Lightfoot Endorses Lindsey LaPointe for Illinois House Seat|last=Atsales|first=Helen|date=February 13, 2020|website=Chicago, IL Patch|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2020}} U.S. Senator Dick Durbin,{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-sandoval-guilty-cooperating-comedian-malia-obama-spin-20200128-upmus4bw6rgnzp2kfl4sk4deke-story.html|title=The Spin: Ex-state Sen. Sandoval pleads guilty to bribery — but there's more {{!}} Biden would 'love' Michelle Obama as V.P. {{!}} Preview on Pritzker's State of State address|last=Donovan|first=Lisa|date=January 28, 2020|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=March 2, 2020}} U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, former state senator Daniel Biss,{{Cite web|url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2019/11/07/city/daniel-biss-holds-event-supporting-lapointe-stoneback-for-state-legislature/|title=Biss reveals support for LaPointe, Stoneback for Illinois legislature|last=Nelson|first=Delaney|date=November 7, 2019|website=The Daily Northwestern|access-date=March 2, 2020}} and a number of labor unions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lindseylapointe.com/endorsements/|title=Endorsements|website=Lindsey LaPointe for State Rep|language=en-US|access-date=March 2, 2020}} In March 2020, LaPointe circulated campaign mailings alleging that her two opponents were anti-women's rights by pointing to past electoral support of particular donors. Duplechin and Vasquez criticized the mailer, and NBC Chicago found that LaPointe had received similar donations from some of the very same donors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/domestic-violence-claims-in-campaign-mailers-shock-candidates-in-statehouse-race/2234493/|title=Domestic Violence Claims in Campaign Mailers Shock Candidates in Statehouse Race|website=NBC Chicago|date=March 10, 2020 |language=en-US|access-date=March 11, 2020}} LaPointe won the primary election on March 17, 2020, with 41.3% of the vote, and faced Jeff Muehlfelder in the general election on November 3, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://elections.suntimes.com/results/2020/#state-house-district-19-democratic-primary|title=Illinois Election Results 2020: State House, District 19 Democratic Primary|website=Chicago Sun-Times|language=en|access-date=March 21, 2020}}

= Tenure =

In February 2020, LaPointe introduced legislation that would allow first responders to claim worker's compensation benefits to cover post-traumatic stress disorder.{{Cite web|url=https://ilhousedems.com/2020/02/26/lapointe-introduces-bill-advocating-for-first-responders-workers-comp-to-cover-ptsd/|title=LaPointe Introduces Bill Advocating for First Responders Workers' Comp. to Cover PTSD|date=February 26, 2020|website=Illinois House Democratic Caucus|language=en-US|access-date=March 2, 2020}} That same month, she sponsored legislation that would require the Department of Veterans' Affairs to create a veterans assistance hotline.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newstrib.com/2020/03/01/follow-that-bill/aaxzvaj/|title=Follow that Bill|last=Collins|first=Tom|date=March 1, 2020|website=NewsTribune|language=en|access-date=March 2, 2020}} She has also co-sponsored legislation including the Clean Energy Jobs Act, a bill that would allow eligible students to vote during school hours on election day, and a bill that would create a state-wide Domestic Violence Task Force.{{Cite web|url=https://ilhousedems.com/2020/02/07/lapointe-supports-domestic-violence-task-force/|title=LaPointe Supports Domestic Violence Task Force|date=February 7, 2020|website=Illinois House Democratic Caucus|language=en-US|access-date=March 2, 2020}}

== Committees ==

As of July 3, 2022, Representative LaPointe is a member of the following Illinois House Committees:{{Cite web |title=Illinois General Assembly - Representative Committees |url=https://ilga.gov/house/RepCommittees.asp?MemberID=2972 |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=ilga.gov}}

Appropriations - Public Safety (HAPP)
Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee (HELM)
Housing Committee (SHOU)
Human Services Committee (HHSV)
Police & Fire Committee (SHPF)
(Chairwoman of) Public Benefits Subcommittee (HHSV-PUBX)

Electoral history

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 19th Representative District Democratic Primary, 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=TPPXnZLdax8%3d&OfficeType=TPsWaFcg2f%2bZHFrYI%2b6FR4Fu5cxamu0awn%2bLrIqClxk%3d&T=637800104732906137|title=Election Results 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=February 10, 2022}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Lindsey LaPointe (incumbent)

| votes = 7295

| percentage = 42.56

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Patricia D. "Patti Vasquez" Bonnin

| votes = 5979

| percentage = 34.89

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Joe Duplechin

| votes = 3865

| percentage = 22.55

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 17139

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 19th Representative District General Election, 2020{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=prSXs26mKQc%3d&OfficeType=TPsWaFcg2f%2bZHFrYI%2b6FR4Fu5cxamu0awn%2bLrIqClxk%3d&T=637799212198404851|title=Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=February 10, 2022|publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Lindsey LaPointe (incumbent)

| votes = 27823

| percentage = 58.40

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Illinois Republican Party

| candidate = Jeff Muehlfelder

| votes = 18277

| percentage = 38.36

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| candidate = Joseph Schreiner

| votes = 1544

| percentage = 3.24

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 47644

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Illinois 19th Representative District Democratic Primary, 2022{{Cite web|title=Election Results: 2022 General Primary|last=Illinois State Board of Elections|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=63aIZoIunYs%3d&OfficeType=TPsWaFcg2f%2bZHFrYI%2b6FR0aY47e3tS2y&T=638011126873058837}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Lindsey LaPointe (incumbent)

| votes = 9474

| percentage = 76.13

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Tina Wallace

| votes = 2,970

| percentage = 23.87

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 12444

| percentage = 100.0

}}

{{Election box begin

| title = Illinois 19th Representative District General Election, 2022{{Cite web |url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=MVJQPFIDZQo%3d&OfficeType=TPsWaFcg2f%2bZHFrYI%2b6FR0aY47e3tS2y |title=Election Results 2022 GENERAL ELECTION |access-date=2023-12-04 |publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party = Democratic Party of Illinois

| candidate = Lindsey LaPointe (incumbent)

| votes = 22458

| percentage = 69.85

| change = +11.45%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party = Illinois Republican Party

| candidate = Michael Harn

| votes = 9695