Bill Foster

Political Party: Democratic

District: Illinois's 11th Congressional District ; previously represented Illinois's 14th Congressional District

Bill Foster is a scientist and businessman who has built a distinguished career bridging both sectors. He co-founded Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. at age 19 with his younger brother, and the company now manufactures over half of the theater lighting equipment in the United States. Foster is the only PhD physicist serving in Congress.

Foster lives in Naperville, Illinois, with his wife Aesook, who is also a physicist. He has two adult children, Billy and Christine. His father was a civil rights lawyer who contributed significantly to the enforcement language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Political Experience

Foster has been a vocal advocate for evidence-based policymaking and consumer protection. Following the Great Recession, he helped shape major financial reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. He currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and holds the position of Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy.

Earlier in his congressional tenure, Foster served on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where he championed climate change initiatives and energy innovation. He also served as chairman of the Science Committee's Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was appointed to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus to examine the federal government's pandemic response and use of taxpayer funds.

Foster remains committed to sustained federal funding for scientific research and continues to advocate for policies that support both innovation and consumer protections.