MEET PATRICIA KLADIS-SCHIAPPA
For DuPage County Clerk
Restore Confidence in the Office Responsible for Elections and Vital Records in DuPage County
About Me.
Why am I running? "Philotimo"
I am a lawyer and first-generation Greek American so naturally, I chose a complex Greek word to describe the why - a word that does not have a direct translation in any other language. The word can be broken down to literally mean “friend of honor” – but what does that mean?
It is simply a way of life – it embodies values and virtues that include integrity, dignity, honor and pride, but most importantly a strong sense of duty.
Philotimo is stepping out of your comfort zone to do what is right for society and to do so with sincerity. It means acting at the highest level of ethics because we respect ourselves and all others. It means doing good without expecting anything in return.
Philotimo is not taught, it is felt. Some even say it is imprinted into the Greek DNA.
I am running to restore integrity and respect in the Clerk's Office.
Qualifications | Education | Volunteerism
Patricia Kladis-Schiappa is an attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience. She concentrates her trial and appellate practice in workers’ compensation and has conducted hundreds of hearings throughout the entire State of Illinois. In her two decades of legal experience, she has represented employees and employers at all levels before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and appellate levels. Patricia has previously served as a Hearing Officer for the Illinois Tollway Authority, where she presided over hearings for alleged violations of The Toll Highway Act. She also finds time to provide gratis legal counsel to first responders as they hold a special place in her heart.
Patricia is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly known as The John Marshall Law School) (J.D.), where she served as an Executive Board Member of The John Marshall Law School Moot Court Program. Patricia is a mentor to young lawyers as she values helping the next generation. Since graduating law school over 20 years ago, Patricia regularly judges her law school’s intra-scholastic moot court competition, where law students learn and develop their appellate advocacy skills.
Patricia has always given back to her community. She has volunteered at her children’s grammar and high schools whether it be monitoring lunch time, serving on Parent-Teacher Advisory Committees, or chairing fundraisers. Patricia has served as a poll watcher and Election Judge in past elections. As a Burr Ridge resident, she also served on the Census Committee to assure census participation by the residents of Burr Ridge, which is vitally important for adequate funding, accurate representation and effective governance.
She is a member of the Assistance League Foundation; a philanthropic program that supports neighbors in need throughout DuPage and western Cook counties. As a first-generation Greek American, Patricia is also a very proud member of the Hellenic Bar Association and is fluent in Greek. Thanks to her mother and grandmother, Patricia has mastered family recipes including Pastitsio, Spanakopita and Tzatziki.
Patricia lives in Burr Ridge with her husband Tony Schiappa, and they have been married for 24 years. Their home is full of love with three children, three dogs and two chinchillas. She enjoys gardening and plays competitive tennis.
LATEST UPDATES
CONNECT WITH PATRICIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
