Jeanne Ives

Jeanne Ives served three terms as an Illinois State Representative. First elected in 2012, Representative Ives demonstrated not only a willingness to lead on difficult issues and question powerful House leaders, but also an insightful understanding of policy.

Her legislation has been recognized throughout the state and her opinion editorials have been published in the Chicago Tribune, The Federalist and the Wall Street Journal as well as several political news sites.

In 2018, she was enlisted by Illinois families and business owners, as well as legislative colleagues to run a campaign for Governor after incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner betrayed his campaign promises to fiscally reform government and pursue no social agenda.

Representative Ives graduated in the West Point Class of 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She went on to serve in the US Army. Her assignments included platoon leader and headquarters detachment commander for transportation units in Germany and ROTC instructor at Wheaton College.

She resigned from the Army in 1993 to raise her children. At the same time, she worked as a tax advisor and bookkeeper for small businesses and individuals.

Prior to her election to the Illinois House, Ives served on the Wheaton City Council, where her tenure was marked by conservative leadership and an unwavering commitment to the taxpayers’ bottom line.

During her tenure, Representative Ives focused on bringing about true pension and tax reform in the state, government transparency, and advocating for school choice.

Representative Ives refused both a taxpayer funded pension and healthcare. Both pension and state group health insurance have greatly contributed to budget pressures and need reform.

Her awards include Champion of Free Enterprise from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, the inaugural Titanium Backbone Award from Illinois Family Institute for her pro-family stances, and 100% rating from the American Conservative Union.

Jeanne has lived in Wheaton for 27 years with her husband, Paul (also a USMA Class of 1987 graduate), and their 5 children. Her two oldest sons are in the military: The eldest is an Infantry Captain with his Ranger Tab serving in the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment in Alaska and, the second is a 2016 West Point graduate who commissioned into the Navy upon graduation and is in training to become a Navy pilot.

One of her greatest joys was coaching the championship St. Michael Boys and Girls Cross Country teams for 12 years as a parent volunteer