Dick Simpson biography

Dick Simpson has uniquely combined a distinguished academic career with public service in government. In his campaign for political office in 1971, Simpson surprised political observers and won election as Chicago's 44 Alderman, despite a well-financed opponent with an army of precinct captains. He served the 44th Ward for two terms before voluntarily retiring in 1979. As Alderman, Simpson, who served as the leader of the council's opposition bloc to Mayors Daley and Bilandic from 1975-1979, consistently voted for and introduced reform legislation - occasionally persuading old-line aldermen to support his proposals as well. Results include:

•   The elimination of bank redlining,

•   Ending salary discrimination in the city budget for women holding the same jobs as men,

•   A City Council resolution urging Illinois passage of the Equal Rights Amendment,

•   Budget amendments to provide more money for day care.

•   Additional budget amendments to speed the opening of day care centers,

•   Programs to help the homeless and the hungry,

•   The extension of Senior Citizen public transportation hours. Simpson has published widely, been an outstanding teacher, and affected public policy. He began his academic career at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1967 where he has taught for 39 years and where he currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science. At UIC he received the highest awards given for teaching including the UIC Silver Circle Award (twice), the CETL Teaching Recognition Award, the UIC award for Excellence in Teaching, and the American Political Science Association and Pi Sigma Alpha National Award for outstanding Teaching in Political Science. He is currently working with the Carnegie Foundation better teaching college students political engagement through their Political Engagement Project.

Professor Simpson has been the principal researcher on important studies which have led to reform in many units of government in Cook County, Illinois. He has published numerous studies of elections, voting patterns of elected officials, local government, public policy, and government budgeting. He is author or co-author of sixteen books on political action, ethics, and politics, including "Inside Urban Politics"(2004), "Rogues, Rebels and Rubber Stamps" (2001), "Winning Elections" (1996), "Chicago's Future in a Time of Change" (1993),and "The Politics of Compassion and Transformation" (1989). He has produced eight films and video documentaries winning a variety of film awards including an EMMY nomination. Simpson has published more than 80 professional journal articles, magazine articles, book chapters, and book reviews.

He has received thirty-one grants and fellowships totaling more than $750,000. He has twice been a Great Cities Scholar and once a Humanities Institute Fellow at UIC.

He is currently a Fellow at the Great Cities Institute at UIC. In 1992 and 1994 Dick Simpson ran for Congress in Illinois' 5th Congressional District opposing Congressman Dan Rostenkowski on a platform of congressional reform, women's rights, universal health care, economic recovery and senior citizen's issues. In the Democratic Primary in 1992 he received 42,000 votes. He was an Alternate Delegate Candidate in Bill Bradley's Presidential campaign in 2000, Chairman of the Issues Committee for Carol Moseley Braun's Presidential Campaign and as a surrogate speaker for John Kerry for President in 2004. He has served as a political consultant for campaigns for candidates from Alderman to President and testified on legislation before City Council, State Legislative, and Congressional committees. He has frequently been an expert witness in federal court cases.

He was a monthly op-ed columnist for the Chicago Journal for three years and is currently a monthly columnist for The Sun-Times.

Simpson has also served on transition teams that advised Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne in 1979; Mayor Harold Washington in 1983; Cook County Clerk David Orr and State's Attorney Jack O'Malley in 1990; and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in 2003. He helped shape their positions on ethics, fair hiring practices, citizen participation, and efficient, effective local government.

His public service has been recognized by awards from many civic organizations including the City Club of Chicago, Clergy and Laity Concerned, Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization, Lakeview Shelter Team, and Clarence Darrow Community Center. He is listed in Who's Who in America and another dozen biographical resources.