39 Facts About Susan Catania

Susan Catania was an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983.

Susan Catania was involved in women's rights issues, and she led the unsuccessful effort to get the federal Equal Rights Amendment ratified by the Illinois General Assembly.

Susan Catania represented a heavily African American and Democratic district, but a Republican could still represent the district under the state's cumulative voting system.

Cumulative voting was abolished by the Cutback Amendment in 1981, and Susan Catania lost any chance to retain her seat in the House going forward.

Susan Catania later did one year of graduate studies in chemistry, including work as a teaching assistant, at Northwestern University.

Susan Catania hired a babysitter and lived near her workplace, allowing her to nurse her baby during her break.

Susan Catania connected with the National Organization for Women, which was recruiting women to testify at the General Assembly for a bill expanding access to unemployment benefits for pregnant women.

Susan Catania would become one of the women to testify with the organization.

Amid her advocacy for legislation protecting pregnant women, in 1972 Susan Catania decided to campaign for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 22nd district.

Susan Catania was vying for the Republican seat in her district that was available under the state's cumulative voting system, in which each district elected three members.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Susan Catania was running "one of the most vigorous campaigns of the year", in contrast to the other candidates.

Susan Catania won the election, having secured endorsements from Independent Voters of Illinois and Gloria Steinem, an activist and journalist.

Susan Catania has been described as a liberal, feminist, and maverick.

Susan Catania often defied her party's leadership, supporting gun control and abortion, but faced few repercussions as there is no Republican organization in the South Side of Chicago.

Susan Catania joined a small group of women legislators who focused on women's rights issues in the 1970s.

In 1975, Susan Catania was appointed chairperson of the Illinois Commission on the Status of Women, a 16-member panel including both Democratic and Republican appointees.

Susan Catania credited disposable diapers with helping her care for her babies while traveling for legislative business.

Susan Catania supported the federal Displaced Homemakers Act, which addressed women seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce.

Susan Catania testified at hearings of a US House subcommittee in 1976, and a US Senate subcommittee in 1977.

Susan Catania was chief sponsor of the unsuccessful effort to get the federal Equal Rights Amendment ratified by the General Assembly, breaking with Speaker George Ryan, who opposed the ERA.

In 1979, Susan Catania proposed an amendment to the Illinois Human Rights Act, which had passed the Senate with the sponsorship of Harold Washington.

In January 1973, Susan Catania introduced a bill that designated Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1974, Susan Catania was the first to sponsor the Freedom of Information Act.

Susan Catania sponsored the Crime Victim Compensation Act, which passed in 1973.

Susan Catania secured emergency state funding for Cook County Hospital and Provident Hospital, the latter effort which was co-sponsored with Harold Washington.

Susan Catania sponsored gun control legislation, but those efforts failed.

Susan Catania encouraged constituents to protest against Edward Hanrahan, the Democratic state's attorney for Cook County, for his controversial role in the killing of Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark.

In 1980, Catania supported John B Anderson during the Republican Party presidential primaries.

Cumulative voting was abolished by the Cutback Amendment in 1981, and Susan Catania lost any chance to retain her seat in the House going forward.

Susan Catania ran for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 1982.

Susan Catania lost the primary, coming in second place to Ryan.

Susan Catania served on the advisory committee, formed in July 1983, of Harold Washington, who by then had been elected mayor of Chicago.

In spring 1983, Susan Catania was a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics for six months, studying women in politics.

Susan Catania's activities included giving lectures, leading seminars, and rowing along the Charles River as part of a rowing crew team.

Susan Catania helped open a daycare center for state employees in Chicago.

In 1997, Susan Catania earned a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Chicago.

Susan Catania eventually moved to Buffalo Grove, Illinois, then to Eagle River, Wisconsin for permanent retirement.

In Eagle River, Susan Catania lived in a family cabin at Cranberry Lake that had been purchased by her parents when she was young, and where her children would spend their summers.

Susan Catania died from injuries during a fire at the cabin on November 27,2023, at age 81.