Office of Rep Sandra Pihos, Neighbor

State Representative Sandra Pihos was elected to the General Assembly in 2002 and is currently serving her fifth term in office. She has been a resident of Glen Ellyn for 37 years, taught both elementary and middle school before becoming a high school guidance counselor, followed by serving as President of the Glenbard District 87 school board. In addition, she held the position of vice president of Pihos Enterprises, a restaurant management firm, from 1993 - 2000.<br><br>As a full time legislator, Sandy serves on a variety of committees including Elementary and Secondary Education, Elementary and Secondary Appropriations, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (Republican Spokesperson), Aging (Republican Spokesperson), Consumer Protection, Disability Services, Public Policy and Accountability. Some of the committees she has been appointed to are the Legislative Audit Commission, the Charter Schools Sub-committee, the Special Education Funding Task Force, and the Workforce Development Board. Much of her legislation has focused on education, social security protection, identity theft, affordable housing, health awareness, children&#39;s health insurance and environmental issues.<br><br>Representative Pihos was recognized as Woman of the Year by The United Hellenic Voters. She has also been given the Legislator of the Year Award, by several organizations including the Illinois Optometric Association, the Illinois School Counselor Association, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the DuPage Housing Action Coalition, the Ray Graham Association, the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and the Illinois Association of School Social Workers. She has received the Guardian of Small Business Award, the Partners in Quality Award for her dedication to the advancement of quality in older adult services, the DuPage Center for Independent Living Spirit of ADA award, the Illinois Farm Bureau Activator award, the American Cancer Society Regional Advocacy Partner Award and the Illinois Environmental Council Award.<br><br>She is the co-chair of The Conference of Women Legislators and the Illinois State Director of Women in Government. Sandy serves on several boards including Giant Steps Illinois, Partnership for Educational Progress Foundation, Family Shelter Service, DuPage Regional Leadership Council of the American Cancer Society, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).