On Monday, July 7th in an email to supporters, State Senator Mike Halpin stated he would seek re-election to represent Illinois District 36 In the statement Halpin shared, 'I’m excited to continue fighting for our communities. With everything happening in DC, this past term I've been focused on delivering results for our communities in Western Illinois.'
• Expanding the child tax credit and eliminating the grocery tax to ease the burden on working families.
• Protecting our public schools and expanding opportunities for every student in Illinois.
• Securing critical funding to improve healthcare access and lower costs for our communities.
Halpin went on to state, 'But with more chaos coming from Trump's administration, I know there'll be a lot more work to be done. And while I want to continue showing up for our community, there's no doubt the GOP in Illinois is eyeing my seat.'
Mike was raised in a working family in the small town of Voorheesville, just outside the city of Albany. His father worked for forty-two years in the warehouse of an electrical supply company, retiring last month. His mother has spent the past thirty years as a bookkeeper for a chain of grocery stores. Mike attended Voorheesville public schools. Upon graduation from high school, Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Roger Williams University, becoming the first person in his immediate family to complete a college degree.
Congressman Lane Evans hired Mike in early 2002 as his district scheduler and personal aide. Mike traveled with Lane throughout the district, working with local elected officials and constituents to arrange town hall meetings and other events.
Mike also served as Lane’s liaison with the National Personnel Records Center, helping local veterans receive the military honors they had earned during their service.
It was during his time in Lane’s office that Mike met his wife, MaryAnn, at an East Moline Democrat Club meeting. The two married in 2005. Shortly after their wedding, they both enrolled in the University of Illinois, MaryAnn earning her Master’s degree and Mike following in Lane’s footsteps and earning a law degree, graduating Cum Laude. Upon graduation, Mike clerked for former Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Rita B. Garman, in Danville, Illinois.
Halpin has been practicing law at the Rock Island firm of McCarthy, Callas, & Feeney, P.C. for the past years. In 2013, after only three years at the firm, he became a partner. His primary areas of practice are Labor Law and Municipal Law, as well as representing working people in their family law, traffic, and real estate matters. Mike also serves on the Board of Directors for Bridging the Gap: Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, and provides free consultations, and some pro bono representation, for veterans in need.
Mike and MaryAnn are the proud parents of Natalie and Will.
