Benjamin Sohn

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Current revision as of 07:35, 19 November 2008

Benjamin Sohn
Democratic Party
Congressman
Began Present Office: 2008
Electoral District	10th Congressional District
State	Illinois
Region and Superregion	Wabash Valley, Midwest
Previous Offices	Illinois State Senator
Born	August 18th, 1972 Chicago, Illinois
Spouse	Alexis Schwartz
Religion	Jewish
Residence	Northbrook, IL
Occupation	Congressman
Education	MBA, Northern Illinois University

Benjamin Sohn was born in Chicago in 1972 to Jewish parents, Chaim and Rachel. He is the oldest of 2 siblings, his brother Isaac born three years younger. Benjamin was raised in Lincolnwood, IL, where he attended Niles West High School, earning good grades, especially in the social sciences and math. The Sohn family lived on modest means, Chaim owning a small marketing company and Rachel substitute teaching at local schools. Benjamin attended Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1994 with a degree in business. After graduating, he took over the family business with his brother. He married Alexis Schwartz in 1996, and moved with her to Northbrook, IL, where he still resides. His first son, Jeremy, was born in 1998, and his second, Daniel, in 2001. Benjamin and his family are active members of the Shir Chadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Northbrook. In 2000 he decided to leave business to pursue a career in politics, winning a seat in the Illinois state senate. There he promoted a progressive economic policy, with a focus on worker's rights. He also pushed for environmentally friendly legislation, and bio-fuel/alternative energy research. When elected Representative of Illiinois' 10th District in 2008, he continued this platform, in addition to an anti-outsourcing, anti-Bush Doctrine style foreign policy, and liberal social policy stance.

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