Lane Evans



Lane Allen Evans was a Democratic member of the U. S. House of Representatives representing the 17th District of Illinois (map) from 1983 to 2007. He opted to retire rather than seek reelection in 2006.

Bio
Evans was born August 4, 1951 in Rock Island, Illinois. Evans served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, stationed in Okinawa. After his discharge from the Marines in 1971, Evans enrolled at Augustana College in Rock Island, graduating with honors in 1974. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University in 1978 and began a successful law practice in Rock Island "serving children, the poor and working families."

In Congress, Evans is known for his strong support of veterans, and in 1990 was awarded "In recognition of his legislative leadership,... the Vietnam Veterans of America's first annual President's Award for Outstanding Achievement. In 1994, he received the AMVET's Silver Helmet Award, called the "Oscar" of veterans honors." 

Congressional career
In 1982, Evans ran for and won the Democratic nomination for Illinois' 17th District and won the Congressional seat in a tight race. He was easily re-elected until 1994 when  Evans won by only nine points over an unknown Republican who spent almost no money. This emboldened the Republicans for 1996, when Evans faced his first real challenge ever--from Mark Baker, an anchor at WGEM-TV in Quincy. Even as Bill Clinton carried the district by a healthy 30,000 votes, Evans only defeated Baker by five points. A 1998 rematch was even closer, with Evans only winning by 6,000 votes. However, the district reverted to form somewhat in 2000, as Evans won by almost 10 points. Redistricting after the 2000 census made Evans much safer by adding Decatur and part of Springfield, and Evans was reelected in 2002 and 2004 by margins simliar to the ones he scored in the 80s and early 90s.

Evans has battled Parkinson's Disease since 1995. While his previous opponents, including Baker, didn't make an issue of it, his 2004 opponent, Andrea Lane Zinga (a former anchorwoman at WQAD-TV in the Quad Cities) claimed he was not able to fully represent the members of his district due to his health concerns. This tactic backfired, and Evans won handily. In March 2006, Evans announced that his health was worsening and he would not seek re-election. Andrea Zinga will run again for the now open seat. Her Democratic opponent will be Phil Hare. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Iraq War
Evans voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

FEC Actions
On June 27, 2005, Evans' campaign committee agreed to pay $185,000 to settle an investigation by the Federal Election Commission. The inquiry stemmed from allegations of illegal coordination between the 17th District Victory Fund, the Rock Island Democratic Central Committee and the congressman's campaign durring the 1998 and 2000 election cycles.

"The FEC contended that the Evans Committee created the Victory Fund during the 1998 election cycle in order to assist with the Congressman's reelection campaign. The Evans Committee then largely directed the Victory Fund's operations during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles.  During this period the Victory Fund raised and spent more than $500,000.  Congressman Evans and his staff raised a majority of the money contributed to the Victory Fund, including more than $200,000 in labor union treasury funds, which are prohibited in federal campaigns.

The Victory Fund spent at least $330,000 on voter identification and get-out-the-vote activities promoting Congressman Evans. The FEC found that these campaign focused activities were so closely coordinated with the campaign that they represented contributions from the Victory Fund to Evans. The contributions exceeded federal limits and included funds from prohibited sources, in violation of FECA."

The Rock Island Democratic Central Committee was also fined $30,000. The penalties were paid without any admission of guilt.

Committees in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Readiness
 * Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
 * House Committee on Veterans' Affairs - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity

Affiliations

 * International Advisory Council, International Labor Rights Fund

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Philosophe Forum

Articles

 * Christi Parsons, "'I just wish I had a little more time'. Just as his issues reach the forefront, a veteran congressman steps down because of Parkinson's," Chicago Tribune, January 1, 2006.

Contact
DC Office: 2211 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-5905 Fax: 202-225-5396 Email: lane.evans AT mail.house.gov Website Email Website

District Office- Decatur: 236 North Water Street, Suite 765 Decatur, IL 62523 Phone: 217-422-9150 Fax: 217-422-9245

District Office- Galesburg: 261 North Broad Street, Suite 5 Galesburg, IL 61401 Phone: 309-342-4411 Fax: 309-342-9749

District Office- Moline: 1535 47th Avenue, Suite 5 Moline, IL 61265 Phone: 309-793-5760 Fax: 309-762-9193

Campaign Address: 1516 37th Street Rock Island, IL 61201 Phone: Fax: