Robin Kelly

Robin Lynne Kelly (born April 30, 1956) is an American politician from Illinois who has served as the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 2nd congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Kelly served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. She then served as chief of staff for Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias until 2010. She was the 2010 Democratic nominee for State Treasurer, but was defeated in the general election. Prior to running for Congress, Kelly served as the Cook County Chief Administrative Officer.

After winning the Democratic primary, she won the 2013 special election to succeed Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early life, education, and early political career

The daughter of a grocer, Robin Lynne Kelly was born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on April 30, 1956. Hoping to become a child psychologist, she attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and she is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority through the Zeta Phi Chapter. At Bradley she obtained her B.A. in psychology (1977/1978) and her M.A. in counseling (1982). While in Peoria she directed a "crisis nursery" and worked in a hospital.