Robin Kelly IL-02

Robin Kelly

Summary

Current Position: US Representative of IL District 2 since 2013
Affiliation: Democrat
Other Positions: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
District: Based in the south suburbs of Chicago, the district includes southern Cook county, eastern Will county, and Kankakee county, as well as the city of Chicago’s far southeast side.  
Upcoming Election:

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. Kelly earned her Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University in 2004.

Featured Quote: 
Nearly 37 million Medicare beneficiaries can’t access affordable dental care, putting them at risk for preventable health issues. @RepHorsford & I introduced the Medicare Dental Coverage Act to add dental coverage to Medicare & help keep people healthy.

Featured Video: 
Rep. Robin Kelly On Sondland, Ukraine, Impeachment | Velshi & Ruhle | MSNBC

OnAir Post: Robin Kelly IL-02

News

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Media

Press Releases

In the News

Kelly’s Report

Social Media

Editorials/Op-eds

About

Source: Government

Robin Kelly 1Congresswoman Robin Kelly has dedicated her career to public service as an advocate for Illinois families. Since being elected to serve the 2nd Congressional District in 2013, she has worked to expand economic opportunity, community wellness, and public safety across the state, championing numerous initiatives to generate job growth, reduce health disparities, and end gun violence.

Congresswoman Kelly is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee (the main policy-writing body of the House) and serves on the Health, Communications and Technology, and Innovation, Data, and Commerce subcommittees. Her Energy and Commerce work is focused on expanding access to healthcare, consumer protection for American families, and economic development.

She is also a member of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus.

A staunch champion of common sense gun reforms and responsible community policing, Representative Kelly is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce and is the author of The 2014 Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, the first-ever Congressional analysis of the nation’s gun violence epidemic that offers a blueprint for ending the crisis.

Committed to improving the health and wellness of vulnerable communities across the country, the Congresswoman serves as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and Co-Chairs the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls. She also Co-Chairs the House Democratic Policy Group and House Tech Accountability Caucus.

Prior to her election to Congress, Kelly was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, served as Chief Administrative Officer of Cook County (the second largest county in the United States) and was Chief of Staff to Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias – becoming the first African American woman to serve as Chief of Staff to an elected constitutional statewide officeholder.

The daughter of a small business owner and postal worker, Congresswoman Kelly moved to Illinois to attend Bradley University in Peoria, where she earned her B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in counseling. She later received a Ph.D. in political science from Northern Illinois University. She lives in Matteson and has two adult children, Kelly and Ryan.

Personal

Full Name: Robin Lynne Kelly

Gender: Female

Family: Husband: Nathaniel; 2 Children: Kelly, Ryan

Birth Date: 04/30/1956

Birth Place: New York, NY

Home City: Matteson, IL

Religion: Protestant

Source: Vote Smart

Education

PhD, Political Science, Northern Illinois University, 1995-2004

MA, Counseling, Bradley University, 1980-1982

BA, Psychology, Bradley University, 1977

Political Experience

Representative, United States House of Representatives, Illinois, District 2, 2013-present

Candidate, United States House of Representatives, Illinois, District 2, 2022, 2024

Representative, Illinois State House of Representatives, District 38, 2002-2006

Candidate, Illinois State House of Representatives, District 38, 2002, 2004, 2006

Professional Experience

Chief Administrative Officer, Cook County, 2010-2012

Chief of Staff, Illinois State Treasurer, 2007-2011

Director, Community Affairs, Village of Matteson, 1992-2006

Director, Minority Student Services, Bradley University, 1990-1992

Associate Director, The Youth Shelter, 1987-1990

Director, Crisis Nursery, Crittenton Care and Counseling Center, 1984-1987

Offices

Washington, DC Office
2416 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-0773
Fax:  (202) 225-4583

Office Hours: M-F 9:00am-5:00pm (EST)
Chicago Office
1000 E. 111th Street,
Chicago, IL 60628
Phone: (773) 321-2001

*Due to COVID our offices are virtual and constituents should call 708.679.0078 for assistance.
Matteson Office
600 Holiday Plaza Dr
Suite 505
Matteson, IL 60443
Phone: (708)-679-0078
Fax: (708)-679-0216

Office hours: 9:00am-5:00pm

Contact

Email: Government

Web Links

Politics

Source: none

Election Results

To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.

Finances

Source: Open Secrets

Committees

Caucuses

  • Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, Co-Chair
  • Democratic Policy Group, Co-Chair
  • Maternity Care Caucus, Co-Chair
  • Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Vice Chair
  • Tech Accountability Caucus, Co-Chair
  • Congressional Black Caucus, Health Braintrust Chair
  • Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues
  • Congressional Diabetes Caucus
  • Congressional Oral Health Caucus
  • Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys
  • Steel Caucus
  • Congressional Hellenic Caucus
  • Congressional Hellenic-Israeli Alliance Caucus
  • Congressional Caucus on Multicultural Media
  • Congressional Equality Caucus

New Legislation

Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congresswoman Kelly.

Issues

Source: Government page

More Information

Wikipedia

Source: Government page

District

Source: Wikipedia

Illinois’s 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Illinois. Based in the south suburbs of Chicago, the district includes southern Cook county, eastern Will county, and Kankakee county, as well as the city of Chicago’s far southeast side.

Wikipedia

Robin Lynne Kelly (born April 30, 1956) is an American politician serving 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 lost the general election. Before running for Congress, Kelly served as the Cook County chief administrative officer. After winning the Democratic primary,[1] she won the 2013 special election to succeed Jesse Jackson Jr. in the U.S. House of Representatives.[2]

On May 6, 2025, Kelly announced she would be retiring to run for the United States Senate in 2026, being vacated by the retiring incumbent Dick Durbin. She placed third in the primary, losing to Juliana Stratton.[3]

Early life and education

The daughter of a grocer, Robin Lynne Kelly was born in Harlem[4] on April 30, 1956.[5] Hoping to become a child psychologist, she attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois,[4] where she was a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. At Bradley, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in psychology (1977/1978) and her Master of Arts in counseling (1982).[5] While in Peoria, she directed a “crisis nursery” and worked in a hospital.[4]

Kelly earned her Doctor of Philosophy in political science from Northern Illinois University in 2004.[5]

Early career

From 1992 through 2006, Kelly served as a director of community affairs in Matteson.[5]

Illinois House of Representatives (2003-2007)

Elections

In 2002, Kelly defeated a ten-year incumbent Illinois state representative in the Democratic primary. In November, she defeated Republican Kitty Watson, 81%–19%.[6]

In 2004, she won reelection to a second term, defeating Republican Jack McInerney, 86%–14%.[7] In 2006, she won reelection to a third term unopposed.[8]

Committee assignments

  • Appropriations-Human Services
  • Housing & Urban Development
  • International Trade & Commerce
  • Local Government
  • Mass Transit (Vice Chair)
  • Para-transit
  • Whole[9]

State and county government

In January 2007, Kelly resigned her House seat to become chief of staff to Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. She was the first African-American woman to serve as chief of staff to an elected constitutional statewide officeholder.[10] Kelly was appointed Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle‘s chief administrative officer in 2011.

2010 Illinois treasurer election

See also: 2010 Illinois elections § Treasurer

In 2010, Kelly ran for Illinois treasurer. In the Democratic primary, she defeated founding member and senior executive of the Transportation Security Administration Justin Oberman, 58%–42%. She won most of the counties in the state, including Cook County with 59% of the vote.[11][12]

In the November general election, Republican State Senator Dan Rutherford defeated her 50%–45%. She won just six of the state’s 102 counties: Cook (62%), Alexander (52%), Gallatin (51%), St. Clair (50%), Calhoun (49%), and Rock Island (48%).[13]

U.S. House of Representatives (2013-present)

Kelly’s first congressional portrait (113th Congress)

2013 congressional election

Main article: 2013 Illinois’s 2nd congressional district special election

Kelly entered the field for Illinois’s 2nd congressional district after Democrat Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned three weeks after being elected to a tenth term. On February 11, 2013, two Chicago-based Democratic congressmen, Bobby Rush and Danny Davis, endorsed her.[14]

On February 13, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky endorsed Kelly.[15] A few days later, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed her and committed $2 million in TV ads supporting her by highlighting Kelly’s position on gun control. She was also endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.[16] On February 17, State Senator Toi Hutchinson decided to drop out to endorse Kelly.

On February 26, Kelly won the Democratic primary in the heavily Democratic, Black-majority district with 52% of the vote.[17][18] In the April 9 general election, she defeated Republican community activist Paul McKinley and a variety of independent candidates with around 71% of the vote.[2]

Tenure

Kelly took office on April 9, 2013,[5] and was sworn in on April 11.[19]

Committee assignments

For the 119th Congress:[20]

Caucus memberships

2026 U.S. Senate candidacy

Further information: 2026 United States Senate election in Illinois

On May 6, 2025, Kelly announced she would be retiring to run for the United States Senate in 2026, being vacated by the retiring incumbent Dick Durbin.[3]

Kelly is noted in the national press as one of several Black women running for US Senate in 2026: including Juliana Stratton of Illinois, Pamela Stevenson of Kentucky and Catherine Fleming Bruce of South Carolina.[24][25]

Political positions

Kelly voted with President Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[26]

Syria

In 2023, Kelly was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[27][28]

Personal life

Kelly lived in the Chicago suburb of Matteson, in a home she shared with her husband, Nathaniel Horn, until his death in August 2023. She currently resides in Lynwood.[4] Kelly is a nondenominational Protestant.[29]

Electoral history

Democratic primary for the 2002 Illinois 38th House district election[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly 10,870 56.04
Democratic Harold Murphy (incumbent) 8,526 43.96
Total votes 19,396 100.0
2002 Illinois 38th House district election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly 26,739 80.95
Republican Catherine (Kitty) Watson 6,292 19.05
Total votes 33,031 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2004 Illinois 38th House district election[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 16,028 81.74
Democratic Jonathan J. Jordan 3,580 18.26
Total votes 19,608 100.0
2004 Illinois 38th House district election[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 41,837 86.15
Republican Jack McInerney 6,727 13.85
Total votes 48,564 100.0
2006 Illinois 38th House district election[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 30,862 100.0
Total votes 30,862 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2010 Illinois State Treasurer election[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly 472,494 57.92
Democratic Justin P. Oberman 343,307 42.08
Total votes 815,801 100.0
2010 Illinois State Treasurer election[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Rutherford 1,811,293 49.68
Democratic Robin Kelly 1,650,244 45.26
Green Scott K. Summers 115,772 3.18
Libertarian James Pauly 68,803 1.89
Total votes 3,646,112 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2013 Illinois 2nd congressional district special election[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly 31,079 53.27
Democratic Debbie Halvorson 14,650 25.11
Democratic Anthony Beale 6,457 11.07
Democratic Joyce W. Washington 2,563 4.39
Democratic Ernest B. Fenton 1,545 2.65
Democratic Anthony W. Williams 641 1.10
Democratic Mel “Mr” Reynolds 459 0.79
Democratic Clifford J. Eagleton 207 0.35
Democratic Fatimah N. Muhammad 194 0.33
Democratic Gregory Haynes 144 0.25
Democratic Larry D. Pickens 127 0.22
Democratic John Blyth 104 0.18
Democratic Victor Jonathan 91 0.16
Democratic Charles Rayburn 74 0.13
Democratic Denise Anita Hill 4 0.01
Total votes 58,339 100.0
2013 Illinois 2nd congressional district special election[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly 58,834 70.72
Republican Paul McKinley 18,387 22.10
Independent Elizabeth “Liz” Pahlke 2,525 3.04
Green LeAlan M. Jones 1,531 1.84
Independent Marcus Lewis 1,359 1.63
Independent Curtiss Llong Bey 548 0.66
Write-in votes Steve Piekarczyk 9 0.01
Total votes 83,193 100.0
2014 Illinois 2nd congressional district election[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 160,337 78.49
Republican Eric M. Wallace 43,799 21.44
Write-in votes Marcus Lewis 130 0.06
Total votes 204,266 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2016 Illinois 2nd congressional district election[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 115,752 73.92
Democratic Marcus Lewis 25,280 16.14
Democratic Charles Rayburn 9,559 6.10
Democratic Dorian C. L. Myrickes 6,002 3.83
Total votes 156,593 100.0
2016 Illinois 2nd congressional district election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 235,051 79.81
Republican John F. Morrow 59,471 20.19
Total votes 294,522 100.0
Democratic primary for the 2018 Illinois 2nd congressional district election[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 80,659 82.05
Democratic Marcus Lewis 17,640 17.95
Total votes 98,299 100.0
2018 Illinois 2nd congressional district election[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 190,684 81.06
Republican David Merkle 44,567 18.94
Total votes 235,251 100.0
2020 Illinois 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 234,896 78.81
Republican Theresa Raborn 63,142 21.19
Total votes 298,038 100.0
2022 Illinois 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 140,414 67.13
Republican Thomas Lynch 68,761 32.87
Total votes 209,175 100.0
2024 Illinois 2nd congressional district election[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robin Kelly (incumbent) 195,777 67.55
Republican Ashley Ramos 94,004 32.43
Write-in 62 0.02
Total votes 289,843 100.0

See also

References

  1. ^ Isenstadt, Alex (February 26, 2013). “Kelly wins amid Bloomberg ad blitz”. Politico. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  2. ^ a b “Illinois Special Election Results”. Politico.
  3. ^ a b “US Rep. Robin Kelly jumps into US Senate race to replace retiring Dick Durbin, losing to Juliana Stratton”. Chicago Tribune. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Skiba, Katherine (April 14, 2013). “Robin Kelly hopes to change legacy of 2nd District seat”. Chicago Tribune.
  5. ^ a b c d e “Kelly, Robin L.” Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  6. ^ “IL State House 038 Race”. Our Campaigns. November 5, 2002. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  7. ^ “IL State House 038 Race”. Our Campaigns. November 2, 2004. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  8. ^ “IL State House 038 Race”. Our Campaigns. November 7, 2006. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  9. ^ “Illinois General Assembly – Senator Biography”. Ilga.gov. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  10. ^ “Illinois Races: Robin Kelly Running for State Treasurer”. nbcchicago.com. November 2, 2009. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  11. ^ “IL Treasurer – D Primary Race”. Our Campaigns. February 2, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  12. ^ “2012 General Election Results: U.S. President”. Elections.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  13. ^ “IL Treasurer Race”. Our Campaigns. November 2, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  14. ^ Paicely, Christopher (February 11, 2013). “Congressmen Davis and Rush Endorse Robin Kelly: 2nd District Race – Government – Chicago Heights, IL Patch”. Chicagoheights.patch.com. Retrieved October 12, 2013.[dead link]
  15. ^ McClelland, Edward (February 13, 2013). “Jan Schakowsky Endorses Robin Kelly”. NBC Chicago. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  16. ^ “Bloomberg PAC endorses Robin Kelly in new Illinois special election ad”. Washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  17. ^ “Robin Kelly wins rival Toi Hutchinson’s support in Illinois race”. Politico.com. February 19, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  18. ^ “Illinois Special Election Results 2013 – District Results, Live Updates”. Politico.com. April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  19. ^ [1] Archived April 12, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ “List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives” (PDF). Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
  21. ^ “Membership”. Congressional Black Caucus. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  22. ^ “About the CEC”. CEC. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  23. ^ @GideonResnick (July 19, 2018). “Up to 70 members now” (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ “Meet The 7 Black Women Running For Senate In 2026 — And Why This Year Could Make History”. Essence. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
  25. ^ Victoria, Kenyatta. “Meet the Black Women Running for Senate Seats in 2026”. EBONY. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  26. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  27. ^ “H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … — House Vote #136 — Mar 8, 2023”.
  28. ^ “House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria”. Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  29. ^ “Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress” (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023.
  30. ^ “Election Results 2002 GENERAL PRIMARY”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  31. ^ “Election Results 2002 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  32. ^ “Election Results 2004 GENERAL PRIMARY”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  33. ^ “Election Results 2004 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ “Election Results 2006 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  35. ^ “Election Results 2010 GENERAL PRIMARY”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  36. ^ “Election Results 2010 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  37. ^ “Election Results 2013 SPECIAL PRIMARY”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  38. ^ “Election Results 2013 SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  39. ^ “Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  40. ^ “Election Results 2016 GENERAL PRIMARY”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  41. ^ “Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  42. ^ “Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  43. ^ “Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  44. ^ “Election Results 2024 GENERAL ELECTION”. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 21, 2025.


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Kelly

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