User:Denbo8d/Bridget Gainer

' 'BRIDGET GAINER Big  - (b November 7, 1968)  is the Cook County Commissioner for the 10th District, representing much of Chicago's North side and Lakefront. She replaced Michael Quigley, who left his County Board seat to run for the Congressional seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel, who became President Obama's White House Chief of Staff.

' EARLY LIFE' Bridget was born and raised in Chicago's Southside Beverly neighborhood as the oldest of six children. Bridget is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign, and holds an MBA from The University of Chicago. After graduating college, Bridget moved to New York and worked as a social worker and community organizer. After three years in New York, Bridget moved back to Chicago and founded a community center for at risk kids at Senn High School on Chicago's North Side. Bridget is married to Dennis Kibby and they have three children Finbar, Lillian and Mary.

' PUBLIC SERVICE ' After 7 years as a community organizer, Bridget was hired by Mayor Daley's administration to work as a budget analyst. While working at City Hall, Bridget also worked at the planning department. After only two years at the City, the Mayor promoted Bridget to become the Director of the Lakefront Parks, where she was responsible for a 50 million dollar budget and 200 employees, as well as for creating public/private partnerships to drive revenue without raising taxes. In addition to Bridget Gainer's current service on the Cook County Board, she is a member of the Economics Club of Chicago, and a board member of Women Employed, St. Greg's High School, and the Center for Economic Progress.

 'BUSINESS EXPERIENCE'  After 11 years in the non-profit and public sectors, Bridget accepted a job at Chicago- based AON corporation as assistant Treasurer. She has over 9 years executive experience at Aon, focusing on strategic issues as well as on pension policy and risk management in the public sector.

' COOK COUNTY BOARD ' As a Cook County Board member, Bridget voted to repeal a portion of the Cook County Sales Tax, which was the highest County sales tax in the nation when Bridget took office. She also lead the fight against to stop a state law that would have allowed video slot machines in every tavern or restaurant with a liquor license. (footnote to Carol Marin article in Chicago Sun Times) When Michael Quigley left open the 10th Cook county Commissioner seat to run for Congress, Bridget sought and won the appointment over 9 other candidates. Since her appointment, she won the Democratic primary for the seat in her own right.