Bill Foster represents Illinois's 11th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he serves as a member of the Democratic Party. Before entering politics, Foster worked as a physicist and businessman. He currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where his scientific background informs his legislative work. Within Financial Services, he serves on subcommittees focused on national security and illicit finance, digital assets and financial technology, and financial institutions and monetary policy.

Name

Bill Foster

Party

Democratic

State

Illinois

District

IL-11

Committees

Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Financial Services Committee, National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee

Key Fact 1

Bill Foster holds a Ph.D. in physics from Harvard University and worked at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory for over two decades.

Key Fact 2

He first won election to Congress in a 2008 special election to fill the seat vacated by former Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Key Fact 3

Foster is the only Ph.D. physicist currently serving in Congress.

Key Fact 4

He serves on the House Financial Services Committee, including subcommittees dealing with digital assets, financial technology, and artificial intelligence.

Key Fact 5

Foster is a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, where he focuses on research and development policy.

Key Fact 6

He co-founded a theater lighting company that grew to become a major supplier to the entertainment industry.

Key Fact 7

Foster represents a district that includes portions of the Chicago suburbs and extends into more rural areas of northern Illinois.

Key Fact 8

He has focused legislative attention on issues including scientific research funding, financial regulation, and cybersecurity.

Data from Congress.gov