Biography
Nicole "Nikki" Budzinski, born on March 11, 1977, in Peoria, Illinois, is a dedicated advocate for working families and currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Illinois' 13th Congressional District. Raised in a union household—her grandfather was a union painter and her grandmother a public school teacher—Budzinski's commitment to labor rights and public service was deeply influenced by her family's background. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has consistently focused on policies that strengthen the middle class and support labor unions.
Education and Political Experience
Education: Budzinski earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. During her time at the university, she was actively involved in student government and political organizations, serving as president of the Illini Democrats and as a senator in the Illinois Student Government.
Early Career: After graduation, Budzinski embarked on a career in the labor movement, working with the Laborers' International Union of North America and the International Association of Fire Fighters. She spent seven years with the United Food and Commercial Workers union, eventually serving as the national political director in Washington, D.C.
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Political Experience:
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Senior Advisor to Governor J.B. Pritzker: In 2019, Budzinski was appointed as a senior advisor to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, where she played a pivotal role in negotiating the state's minimum wage increase to $15 per hour and chaired the Broadband Advisory Council to expand internet access in rural communities.
- *Chief of Staff at the Office of Management and Budget *: In 2021, she served as the Chief of Staff at the OMB under the Biden administration, contributing to the implementation of the American Rescue Plan and the establishment of the Made in America Office.
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U.S. Representative for Illinois' 13th Congressional District: Elected in 2022, Budzinski assumed office on January 3, 2023. She serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, advocating for policies that support Illinois family farmers and veterans.
Notable Achievements and Positions
Legislative Accomplishments: In her first year in Congress, Budzinski introduced 15 bills and co-sponsored nearly 300 more. She has been instrumental in securing over $320 million in federal funding for projects within her district, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing local needs.
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Leadership Roles:
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Vice-Chair of Policy for the New Democrat Coalition: Budzinski serves as the Vice-Chair of Policy for the New Democrat Coalition, a group of over 100 lawmakers focused on bridging the partisan divide with pragmatic solutions to national challenges.
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Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Labor Council: She leads efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Democratic Party and labor organizations, emphasizing policies that benefit working families.
Bipartisanship: Recognized for her collaborative approach, Budzinski has been ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the House of Representatives by the Common Ground Committee, reflecting her dedication to working across party lines to achieve results.
Throughout her career, Nikki Budzinski has remained steadfast in her commitment to advocating for labor rights, economic development, and policies that uplift working families in Illinois and across the nation.
