Bill Foster

US Representative for Illinois's 11th district (2003-present) and the 14th district (2008-2011). Dr. Foster is a high energy physicist with a distinguished career in that field. Also an entrepreneur, at age 19 he founded Electronic Theater Controls with his younger brother; this venture started in the family basement but soon grew to become a leader in theater lighting equipment. With 650 employees worldwide, the company now manufactures over than half of the theater lighting equipment used in the USA. Foster came to politics in May 2007 when he announced his candidacy to fill the expected vacancy for Illinois' 14th congressional district, following J Dennis Hastert legal and ethical issues. He won the special election against Republican Jim Oberweis and in a repeat match in November 2008 won the seat for a full term. He wasn't reelected in the 14th in 2010 but then successfully returned to congress in 2013 for the 11th district. Early life, education: Born in Madison, WI., October 7, 1955; B. A. University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1975; Ph. D., Harvard University, 1984.