Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski to Deliver Fall Morton-Kenney Lecture at SIU on Nov. 24

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski will join the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CT in Ballroom B of the SIU Student Center to deliver the Fall Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture.

Budzinski will reflect on her service in Congress, her efforts to strengthen opportunities for working families, and her perspective on how federal policy can support economic growth in Illinois and across the nation. She will also share insights from her career in public service and offer her vision for building a more responsive and effective government.

Before being elected to represent Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, Budzinski served as a senior advisor in the Office of Management and Budget in the Biden Administration and as chief of staff at the Office of the United States Trade Representative. She has also held leadership roles with labor organizations and has been an advocate for strengthening the middle class and expanding access to good-paying jobs.

A reception will precede the lecture from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Budzinski’s remarks beginning at 6:00 p.m. in Ballroom B.