Gregory S. Harris (born June 5, 1955) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives in the 13th district from 2007 to 2023. Harris announced that he would not seek reelection in November 2021.
Greg Harris
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Harris in 2009
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Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives | |
In office January 9, 2019 – January 11, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Barbara Flynn Currie |
Succeeded by | Robyn Gabel |
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 13th district | |
In office December 1, 2006 – January 11, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Larry McKeon |
Succeeded by | Hoan Huynh |
Personal details | |
Born | (1955-06-05) June 5, 1955 (age 69) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Colorado, Boulder (BA) |
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Harris is an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Boulder. He then worked for social service agencies.[1] He served in senior positions with the National Home Furnishings Association. He then became chief of staff for Chicago alderman Mary Ann Smith, a position in which he served for 14 years.[2]
Larry McKeon, who had held the seat for five terms, announced his intention to retire from the legislature in July 2006. He had, though, already been re-elected in the March primary election to be the Democratic candidate on the November general-election ballot, and it fell to the local Democratic committeemen to select his successor to appear on the ballot. Harris, like McKeon, is both openly gay and HIV-positive.[1] He was elected in November 2006.[1]NoRepublican filed for the District 13 seat.[3] He also ran unopposed for re-election in 2008.[4]
In 2010, Harris sponsored The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection & Civil Union Act (SB1716), which was signed into law on January 31, 2011, by Governor Pat Quinn. The act established civil unions in Illinois.[5]
In 2013, Harris was the lead sponsor in the IL House of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, signed into law by Governor Quinn, an act which legalized same-sex marriage in Illinois that went into effect in June 2014.[6]
On January 10, 2019, Harris became the House Majority Leader.[7]
On November 29, 2021, Harris announced that he would not seek reelection.[8]
As of July 3, 2022, Representative Harris is a member of the following Illinois House committees:[9]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Gregory Harris | 19,865 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 19,865 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 31,013 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 31,013 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 21,617 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 21,617 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 33,488 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 33,488 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 22,632 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 22,632 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 40,831 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 40,831 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Gregory Harris (incumbent) | 39,456 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 39,456 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Greg Harris (incumbent) | 46,016 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 46,016 | 100.0 |
Illinois House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by | Majority Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives 2019–2023 |
Succeeded by |