Dick Simpson**

Dick Simpson has uniquely combined a distinguished academic career with public service in government.  He has published widely, been an outstanding teacher, and affected public policy.  He began his academic career at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1967 where he taught for 55 years.  At UIC, he received the highest awards given for teaching, including the UIC Silver Circle Award (twice), CETL Teaching Recognition Award, the UIC award for Excellence in Teaching, and the American Political Science Association and Pi Sigma Alpha National Award for Outstanding Teaching in Political Science.  He is a former Department Head from 2006-2012 and is currently Professor Emeritus of Political Science.

Prof. Simpson has been the principal researcher on important studies which have led to reforms in government.  He has published 26 books and over 100 articles.

Dick has served the 44th Ward of Chicago as Alderman for two terms before voluntarily retiring in 1979.  In 1992 and 1994, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Illinois' 5th Congressional District, opposing Congressman Dan Rostenkowski on a platform of congressional reform, women's rights, universal health care, economic recovery, and senior citizen's issues.