Born on January 21, 1969, Patrick Hughes grew up in a small apartment on the Northwest Side of Chicago, where he lived with his loving, dedicated and hard working parents and his two brothers. Despite the hardships they often faced, Pat’s parents instilled in their sons the belief that in America with hard work and an abiding faith in God—you can do anything. Pat took that belief with him through his years at a Chicago Public Grade School, Holy Cross High School, Marquette University and DePaul University College of Law, where he fulfilled a childhood dream of becoming a lawyer and met Susan, his wife of thirteen years. Pat and Susan now live in Hinsdale with their three children. They are parishioners at St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale.
Pat is the Chairman of Sensible Taxpayers Opposed to Increased Taxes (STOP-IT), an Illinois Political Action Committee dedicated to lobbying for fiscal responsibility and restraint in state government. Pat was credited by state party leaders, including House Minority Leader Tom Cross and State Senator Kirk Dillard, with playing a major role in defeating Governor Pat Quinn’s proposed 50% income tax increase on Illinois taxpayers rely on instant approval loans. Pat is an attorney, real estate developer, and home builder with interests in various development entities. Prior to his real estate career, Pat was a commercial litigator with the law firms Gardner Carton and Douglas and Tressler, Soderstrom, Maloney and Priess. As an attorney, Pat argued cases before various state and federal courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. As a developer and home builder, Pat has worked with municipal boards and their citizens to obtain community support and approval of large real estate developments. Consequently, Pat has vast experience in public speaking, debate and “retail” politics. Pat is also a guest lecturer at Northwestern University, speaking on various issues regarding the creation and implementation of state and federal law.