Times Weekly, staff
Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) was sworn in as United States Representative for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, representing the people of northern Illinois in the 118th Congress.
“I am tremendously honored to represent Illinois’ 14th District for a third term,” said Underwood. “I am committed to representing all families across our community to lower costs for families and protect our democracy. Let’s get to work!”
Underwood was sworn in the morning of Saturday, January 7, following a week of historic disfunction from the new, extreme Republican majority that paralyzed the House of Representatives, and the country.
In the 118th Congress, Underwood will take on a new role as Co-Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, serving alongside Representatives Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Dean Phillips (MN-03) with Representative Joe Neguse (CO-02) serving as Chair. Underwood is the second Black woman in U.S. history to be elected to House leadership after Representative Shirley Chisholm, who was elected Secretary of the Democratic Caucus in 1977.
Highlights of Underwood’s accomplishments for the 117th Congress include:
- 7 pieces of legislation signed into law
- $24,255,324 in savings and earned benefits recovered for constituents
- $30,614,913 in community project funding for the 14th District
- 14 town halls