Jay Hoffman (politician)

Jay C. Hoffman (born November 6, 1961) is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 113th district. He previously served from 1991 to 2011, with a nine-month interruption in 1997.

Jay Hoffman
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 113th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2013
Preceded byScott Penny
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 112th district
In office
October 28, 1997 – January 11, 2011
Preceded byGlenn Bradford
Succeeded byDwight Kay
In office
January 9, 1991 – January 7, 1997
Preceded byRon Stephens
Succeeded byGlenn Bradford
Personal details
Born (1961-11-06) November 6, 1961 (age 63)
Highland, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLaurie
Children2
EducationIllinois State University (BS)
Saint Louis University (JD)

Early life and career

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Jay C. Hoffman was born on November 6, 1961 in Highland, Illinois.[1] Hoffman received his B.S. in finance from Illinois State University. While at Illinois State University, Hoffman was a catcher for the ISU Redbirds baseball team and team captain his senior year.[2][3] He later graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law.[1] He served as an assistant state's attorney in St. Clair County and later as director of probation and court services in the 20th Judicial Circuit.[4]

In 2010, Hoffman authored "Hope from the Heartland: Jobs, Clean Air, Energy Security" which provides a blueprint for utilizing the state's natural resources to create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil. outlines his plan on how the Midwest can lead the nation in research and the production of alternative energy by utilizing the Midwestern states' natural resources to create jobs in the declining manufacturing sector.[5]

Legislative career

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First tenure

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In 1988, Hoffman challenged Republican incumbent Ron Stephens, losing by 1,500 votes. In the most expensive race of the 1990 cycle, Hoffman defeated Stephens in a rematch.[4][6] After just four years in the Illinois General Assembly, Jay was promoted to floor leader for the House Democrats and later became Chairman of the House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee, where he served for five terms. Jay also served on the committees of Judicial I (Civil Law), Judicial II (Criminal Law), Labor, Consumer Affairs, Railroad Safety, appropriations committees, and several other committees and task forces. In 1996, in lieu of running for reelection, Hoffman opted to run for the open seat in Illinois's 20th congressional district. The Republican candidate and Madison County Treasurer John Shimkus narrowly defeated Hoffman in the general election with 120,926 votes to Hoffman's 119,688 votes.[7][8] Hoffman was succeeded in the Illinois House of Representatives by Glenn Bradford.

Second tenure

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Bradford resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives on October 10, 1997.[9] Hoffman was appointed to fill the vacancy and took office October 28, 1997.[1] He helped pass the state's first capital construction plan in more than a decade, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars for new buildings at Illinois State University, University of Illinois, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.[10] He helped pass the state's first capital construction plan in more than a decade, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars for new buildings at Illinois State University, University of Illinois, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.[11]

During this time, served as floor leader for the House Democrats, and chaired the House Transportation and Motor Vehicles Committee for five terms.[12] Hoffman, a past House colleague of Rod Blagojevich, also served as the Governor's "floor leader".[13] In early 2009 Hoffman voted in favor of the impeachment of the former Governor.[14] Hoffman lost reelection to Republican candidate Dwight Kay in the 2010 general election.[15]

Third tenure

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In 2011, Hoffman explored a run for Congress in the newly-drawn Illinois's 13th congressional district, a Democratic-leaning district which stretched from Urbana-Champaign to the Metro-East. However, in October 2023, Hoffman announced he would instead run for election to the Illinois House of Representatives from the 113th district.[16] Hoffman was elected in the 2012 general election.[12] After Michael Madigan stepped down as the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, Hoffman ran for the position, receiving 15 votes on the first ballot to eventual Speaker Chris Welch's 51 votes.[17] Upon assuming the speakership, Welch named Hoffman as an Assistant Majority Leader.[18]

Awards and honors

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Jay received for his work in the Illinois General Assembly include the Illinois Hospital Association's Legislator of the Year award, Outstanding Legislator from the Illinois State's Attorney's Association (two years), Illinois Public Transportation Association Legislator of the Year, RCGA Lewis and Clark Statesman Award (six years),[19] St. Louis Children's Hospital State Advocate of the Year Award, Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Veterans of Illinois, the Appreciation of Dedication to Children of Illinois from the IEA, Cardinal Glennon's Crystal Wagon Award, IEA-NEA Region 45 Political Excellence Award, Southwestern Illinois Development Authority's Outstanding Individual of the Year, and the Associated Fire Fighters' Legislator of the Year Award.[20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ryan, George (ed.). Illinois Blue Book 1997-1998. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Secretary of State. p. 126. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Barnes, Harry, ed. (October 27, 1980). "ISU Redbirds finish spring season at 11-1". Granite City Press-Record. Vol. 78, no. 86. p. 10. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via Internet Archive. Jay Hoffman (of Highland), who ended up playing in almost every game as catcher
  3. ^ Graduate Record. Illinois State University. 1983. p. 46. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Huang, Wen. "New lawmakers: young but experienced". Illinois Issues. 17 (2). Sangamon State University: 13. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via Illinois Periodicals Online at Northern Illinois University.
  5. ^ "2010 Science and Technology Week". April 2010. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Redfield, Kent D. "Candidates, campaigns and cash: How Madigan beat the map in the '92 Illinois House elections". Illinois Issues. Sangamon State University. p. 21. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via Illinois Periodicals Online at Northern Illinois University.
  7. ^ Sevener, Donald, ed. (December 1996). "Illinois congressional delegation remains split, but GOP reps continue to gain clout". Illinois Issues. 22 (12). University of Illinois at Springfield: 11,13. ISSN 0738-9663. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via Illinois Periodicals Online at Northern Illinois University.
  8. ^ "Election Statistics, 1920 to Present". History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives. p. 22. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  9. ^ Vaugn, Nicole (October 15, 1997). "Back in the Saddle: Democratic Leaders Have Faith in Hoffman". Granite City Press-Record. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2012-08-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2012-08-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ a b Miller, David R., ed. (November 2012). "Biographies of New House Members" (PDF). First Reading. 26 (2). Illinois Legislative Research Unit: 4. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  13. ^ Schoenburg, Bernard (December 18, 2009). "Hoffman downplays ties to Blagojevich". State Journal-Register. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
  15. ^ Miller, David R., ed. (November 2010). "National Rightward Swing is Muted in Illinois" (PDF). First Reading. 24 (2). Illinois Legislative Research Unit: 1. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  16. ^ Kacich, Tom (October 28, 2011). "Hoffman no longer a candidate for Congress". The News-Gazette. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Thomas, Latasha R. (January 13, 2021). "Speaker Madigan Suspends Bid for Speakership". Insight on Illinois. Clark Hill. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  18. ^ Welch, Chris (January 12, 2023). "House Majority Leadership for the 103rd General Assembly" (PDF). Letter to John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois House of Representatives. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-08-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ "Science and Tech Week 2010". Archived from the original on 2012-05-14. Retrieved 2012-08-24.
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