MEET BILL QUINLAN.
Bill is a lifelong Chicagoan who has devoted his career to making his hometown stronger, fairer, and more resilient—both in the courtroom and across the community.
Bill grew up on the Northwest Side of Chicago, in a neighborhood called Sauganash, populated by police officers, judges, firefighters, teachers, city attorneys — everyday people who worked for the city, and lived by a code of service.
At age 10, a fire raged through Bill's family home, taking the lives of his mom and little brother. Bill survived only because their neighbors saw the flames, climbed onto the roof, broke a window, and pulled him out.
That experience — both the tragedy and the response to it — stayed with Bill. It taught him that cities aren’t made of buildings. They’re made of regular people who make choices every single day.
Bill met his wife Lisa in law school, and the rest was history. The couple chose to stay in the city and raise their two children in Chicago. Their kids attended public, private, and parochial schools.
In his career as a lawyer and public servant, Bill has advised government agencies and worked closely with civic, corporate, and political leaders to solve some of Chicago’s most complex legal and governance issues.
Recently, Bill played a pivotal role in stabilizing leadership at Chicago Public Schools during one of its most turbulent periods: Amid an historic budget crisis and intense political pressure, Bill stood firm against efforts to push through an unsustainable teachers’ contract and risky financial deals.
Outside the courtroom, Bill has long been a leader in Chicago’s civic life.
He currently serves as Chairman of the Board at Lawrence Hall, a social service agency supporting children and youth who have experienced trauma, including victims of gun violence and those unable to safely remain in their homes.
Under Bill's leadership, Lawrence Hall remains the only agency in Chicago with a dedicated residential program for LGBTQ+ youth.
Bill also served as Chair of the Local School Council at Lincoln Park High School, where he worked to strengthen a school that brings together students of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds — reflecting the full breadth of Chicago’s promise and challenge.
Chicago ought to be the best big city in America to raise a family, build a business, and build a future.
No one else brings Bill’s experience, political independence, and passion for improving the lives of the people who make Chicago great.
