Ira Silverstein
Encyclopedia
Ira I. Silverstein is a Democratic
member of the Illinois Senate
, representing the 8th district since 1999.
. He later received his law degree from the John Marshall Law School.
Silverstein still practices law, he maintains offices in downtown Chicago and a neighborhood office on Devon Avenue
, serving small business owners and residents in matters such as elder law, estate planning and business issues.
Silverstein’s father was a public school teacher, and partly because of that, Silverstein has worked for increased funding for schools. Early in his career as a senator, Silverstein earmarked the largest share of his legislative grants to public schools in his district. Silverstein supported a bill for tax credits for private school tuition, which was signed into law in 1999.
In March 2006, Silverstein sponsored a bill to provide additional benefits to those who are diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders, the most commonly known is autism. This bill allowed more doctor’s visits and increased coverage for speech therapy.
Recently, Silverstein has worked to change the laws regarding identity theft to make it harder for personal information to be shared. Prior to this bill, names and passwords on the computer; cell phone records; e-mails; instant messages; and records of websites visited by an individual were not considered “personal identifying information.” This bill would include that information as private and would prohibit such personal information by brokers.
Silverstein is the Chairman of the Senate Executive Committee, and he serves on the Senate Judiciary and Licensed Activities committees, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). JCAR reviews regulations imposed by state departments on business and citizens to ensure they are in accordance with the department’s legal authority.
, and they have four children together.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Illinois Senate
Illinois Senate
The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the state of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. The Illinois Senate is made up of 59 senators elected from...
, representing the 8th district since 1999.
Early life
Silverstein attended Boone Elementary School and Mather High School and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Loyola University ChicagoLoyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
. He later received his law degree from the John Marshall Law School.
Silverstein still practices law, he maintains offices in downtown Chicago and a neighborhood office on Devon Avenue
Devon Avenue (Chicago)
Devon Avenue is a major east-west thoroughfare in the Chicago metropolitan area. It begins at Chicago's Sheridan Road, which borders Lake Michigan, and it runs west until merging with Higgins Road near O'Hare International Airport. Devon continues on the opposite side of the airport and runs...
, serving small business owners and residents in matters such as elder law, estate planning and business issues.
Senate career
Silverstein was elected to his position in 1999. His election was an upset, as he was the first non-party endorsed Democrat to be nominated for a northside senate seat since Dawn Clark Netsch in 1972.Silverstein’s father was a public school teacher, and partly because of that, Silverstein has worked for increased funding for schools. Early in his career as a senator, Silverstein earmarked the largest share of his legislative grants to public schools in his district. Silverstein supported a bill for tax credits for private school tuition, which was signed into law in 1999.
In March 2006, Silverstein sponsored a bill to provide additional benefits to those who are diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders, the most commonly known is autism. This bill allowed more doctor’s visits and increased coverage for speech therapy.
Recently, Silverstein has worked to change the laws regarding identity theft to make it harder for personal information to be shared. Prior to this bill, names and passwords on the computer; cell phone records; e-mails; instant messages; and records of websites visited by an individual were not considered “personal identifying information.” This bill would include that information as private and would prohibit such personal information by brokers.
Silverstein is the Chairman of the Senate Executive Committee, and he serves on the Senate Judiciary and Licensed Activities committees, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). JCAR reviews regulations imposed by state departments on business and citizens to ensure they are in accordance with the department’s legal authority.
Personal life
Senator Silverstein is married to Chicago Alderman Debra SilversteinDebra Silverstein
Debra Silverstein is the Alderman of the 50th Ward of the City of Chicago, Illinois. She defeated 38-year incumbent Bernard Stone in the 2011 runoff election, a race in which she was endorsed by Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel....
, and they have four children together.
External links
- Illinois General Assembly - Senator Ira I. Silverstein (D) 8th District official IL Senate website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Ira I. Silverstein (IL) profile
- Follow the Money - Ira I Silverstein
- Illinois State Senate Democrats - Senator Ira I. Silverstein profile