Bill Conway (politician)

Last updated

In 2020, Conway ran for the Cook County State's Attorney office in Illinois, where he took 2nd place with 31% of the vote in the Democratic primary but lost to the incumbent Kim Foxx (50.19% of the vote) on March 17, 2020. [4] Kim Foxx ultimately won the general election by defeating Republican Pat O'Brien. [4] Various sources note that Conway's campaign was mostly sponsored by his father William E. Conway Jr with over $10 million, [18] [8] [12] while Kim Foxx's campaign was supported large donations from Michael Sacks, Fred Eychaner, SEIU, Chicago Federation of Labor, EMILY's List, and George Soros. [1] [19] [20] [21] According to The Chicago Reporter , "the Cook County state’s attorney’s race has already become the most expensive in Cook County history, with candidates raising almost $16 million combined, which is more than double that of the 2016 primary." [19]

2023 election for Chicago City Council

In 2023, Conway was elected as an alderman on the Chicago City Council. [4] [5] During his election campaign, Conway addressed the crime situation in Chicago and pledged to allocate additional funds for security, suggesting an increase in the number of police officers and equipment to address crime in the city. [3] Conway won the election with approximately 2/3 of the vote. [22] Candidate Jim Ascot, who conceded the race, received about 33% of the votes [3] [23] Some sources have reported that Conway may be considering a run in the upcoming Chicago mayoral election. [24] [25]

Personal life

He is married to Brittany Conway. They have a daughter, Bella. [26]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Heinzmann, David; Hinkel, Dan (2020-03-10). "Bill Conway's billionaire father is bankrolling his state's attorney bid. His fortune came from a firm that invested in weapons manufacturers and nursing homes accused of neglecting patients". Chicago Tribune.
  2. 1 2 "2020 Voter Guide: Bill Conway for the Cook County State Attorney". WTTW News.
  3. 1 2 3 "Former prosecutor Bill Conway wins aldermanic race in newly drawn Fulton Market, West Loop ward". Chicago Sun-Times. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Bill Conway". BallotPedia.
  5. 1 2 Kapos, Shia (3 August 2022). "New way for Bill Conway". Politico . Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  6. Pratt, Gregory (30 November 2022). "Chicago mayor's race 2023 lineup: Who is in and who is out". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  7. "Committeepersons - Cook County Democratic Party". Cook County Democratic Party. 5 February 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  8. 1 2 Misra, Kiran (2020-03-10). "Conway's Millions". South Side Weekly.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "William Conway". Driehaus College of Business & Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Bowean, Lolly (2020-02-28). "Who is Bill Conway?". Chicago Tribune.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Schmitt, Eric (2018-01-14). "He Studied Accounting. Now He Hunts the Taliban". The New York Times.
  12. 1 2 3 Brown, Mark (2019-06-25). "Unknown former prosecutor with deep pockets eyes campaign against Foxx". Chicago Sun Times.
  13. Hussein, Rummana (2012-06-06). "Former Chicago Sgt. sentenced in $1.1M union embezzlement case". Chicago Sun Times.
  14. Kaufman, Joshua (2020-02-09). "State's Attorney candidate Bill Conway talks wealth, corruption and his game plan". The DePaulia.
  15. "Cop Who Stole From Union Gets 12 Years". CBS news. 2012-06-05.
  16. Ann Ahern, Mary (2019-11-27). "Bill Conway Explains Service Record, Being 'Fired Upon' in Afghanistan". 5Chicago.
  17. "Chicago-Based Innovative Floral Company is Transforming the Luxury Hospitality Floral Market". Health Care Facilities Today.
  18. "Friends of Bill Conway Candidate Committee (inactive)". Reform for Illinois' Sunshine Database.
  19. 1 2 McGhee, Josh; Eads, David (2020-03-13). "Bill Conway gives Kim Foxx a run for her money in most expensive Cook County state's attorney's race". The Chicago Reporter.
  20. Bowean, Lolly (2020-01-10). "Democratic state's attorney challenger Bill Conway gets another $2.35 million from his wealthy father, records show". Chicago Tribune.
  21. "Friends for Foxx". Illinois Sunshine. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  22. Soglin, Talia (March 2023). "34th Ward race: Billionaire's son emerges as winner, set on addressing crime and development". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  23. Ong, Eli (1 March 2023). "Chicago Election Day Wrap-Up: The races that have been decided heading into Wednesday". WGN-TV . Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  24. "Kim Foxx may be out in 2024, but Lightfoot's first". Nadig Newspapers - Northwest Side Local Newspapers. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  25. Spielman, Fran (21 April 2022). "Former state's attorney candidate says business, union leaders fed up with Lightfoot, urging him to run for mayor — and he's listening". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  26. Hinton, Rachel (2020-03-10). "Corned beef and campaigns is the special at Manny's, South Loop deli where sometimes it's not just lunch". Chicago Sun Times.
Bill Conway
Member of the Chicago City Council
from the 34th ward
Assumed office
May 15, 2023