Biography of U.S. Representative Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL) Jan Schakowsky was elected to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District on November 3, 1998, after serving eight years in the Illinois State Assembly. The 9th Congressional District includes cities and suburbs, including North Lakeshore of Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove and several Northwest Side neighborhoods. Jan Schakowsky, an advocate for consumers and seniors, has fought for improved economic and social lives throughout her career. . She supports universal health coverage for all Americans, investments in public education, seniors, working families and women's issues. Schakowsky is active in the campaign to give 39 million seniors and people with disabilities access to affordable prescription drugs. . Schakowsky is also working to ensure that seniors receive quality home, hospice and nursing care. In 1969, Schakowsky led the fight to put freshness dates on products sold in supermarkets. Schakowsky continues that tradition in Congress. He introduced the Financial Consumers' Bill of Rights Act, a comprehensive bill to end ATM surcharges and exorbitant bank fees and to ensure real financial privacy protections for consumers. In her first term, she succeeded in including provisions in important legislation aimed at expanding housing opportunities for low-income people and assisting small business owners and farmers. She is an active member of the Congressional Human RightCaucus and is an advocate for expanding our nations' hate crime laws. Following the vicious hate crimes committed against his constituents and others over the July 4 weekend, 1999, his bill condemning acts of hate passed the full House. She is active in protecting children and ending gun violence. In 1999, she organized the first national women's forum on gun safety in Chicago and is working against the gun lobby to pass sensible gun safety measures that could save lives. Schawsky also introduced major bills to increase federal assistance to abused women and children and to protect the rights of battered immigrant women. Schakowsky is working to provide the people of the 9th Congressional District with superior service and a congressional say when dealing with federal agencies. Representing one of the most diverse districts in the nation, Schakowsky immediately took on the Immigration and Naturalization Service on behalf of his constituents in order to end the agency's culture that "the customer is always wrong"..