Michael Halpin | |
|---|---|
| Member of theIllinois Senate from the 36th district | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2023 (2023-01-11) | |
| Preceded by | Neil Anderson |
| Member of theIllinois House of Representatives from the 72nd district | |
| In office January 10, 2017 (2017-01-10) – January 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick J. Verschoore |
| Succeeded by | Gregg Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1978 or 1979 (age 46–47)[1] |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Ann |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Rock Island, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Roger Williams University(B.A.) University of Illinois(J.D.) |
| Occupation | Legislator |
| Profession | Attorney, Politician |
Michael Halpin is aDemocratic member of the Illinois State Senate[2] representing the 36th district.[3] The 36th district contains portions ofRock Island County,Henry County,Mercer County,Knox County,McDonough County, andWarren County. Cities and villages of the 36th district include;Moline,Rock Island,Galesburg,East Moline,Macomb,Monmouth,Silvis,Milan,Colona,Coal Valley,Knoxville,Bushnell,Carbon Cliff,Hampton,Orion,Roseville,Alexis,East Galesburg,Sherrard,Alpha,New Windsor,North Henderson,Rio, andGood Hope. He first took office in January 2017, when he was elected as State Representative of the72nd district in Illinois.
Congressman Lane Evans hired Halpin in early 2002 as his district scheduler and personal aide. Halpin traveled with Lane throughout the district, working with local elected officials and constituents to arrange town hall meetings and other events. Halpin also served as Lane’s liaison with the National Personnel Records Center, helping local veterans receive the military honors they had earned during their service.
It was during his time in Lane’s office that Mike met his wife, MaryAnn, at an East Moline Democrat Club meeting. The two married in 2005.[4] Shortly after their wedding, they both enrolled in the University of Illinois, MaryAnn earning her master's degree and Mike following in Lane’s footsteps and earning aJuris Doctor (J.D.) degree, graduating cum laude. Upon graduation, he clerked for former chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Rita B. Garman, in Danville, Illinois.
Halpin is an attorney by trade, practicing law at the Rock Island firm of McCarthy, Callas, & Feeney, P.C. In 2013, after only three years at the firm, he became a partner. His primary areas of practice are labor law and municipal law, as well as representing working people in their estate planning, traffic, and real estate matters. Halpin also serves on the board of directors for Bridging the Gap: Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, and provides free consultations, and some pro bono representation, for veterans in need.
As of June 29, 2023, Senator Halpin is a member of the following Illinois Senate committees:[5]
Halpin was a legislative member of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission while a member of the House.[6] The commission is composed of representatives from four states to promote development and implementation of improvements to intercity passenger rail service in the Midwest and to develop long-range plans for high speed rail passenger service in the Midwest and other regions of the country.[7]
In 2018, DemocratJ. B. Pritzker appointed Halpin, an attorney, a member of the gubernatorial transition's Job Creation and Economic Opportunity Committee.[8][9]