Barbara Bellar was born and raised on the Southwest side of Chicago, both her parents were born in Illinois, as well as her 3 sisters and 1 brother. She attended St. Joseph and St. Anne grammar school, followed by two years at Kelly High school and then graduated from Lourdes High School. She worked for 4 years at Illinois Bell Telephone Co. before entering the convent to become a Benedictine Nun. Subsequently, she pursued her undergraduate education at Mundelein College/Loyola University, completing a B.A. in Psychology and a B.S. in Biology. She worked in endocrinology research at both the University of Chicago, and Loyola University while receiving her Teacher’s Certification, and then completing a B.H.S. as a Physician Assistant. Continuing on her path of working and studying, she completed Medical School and an Intern year at New York Medical College and then completed a Family Practice Residency at University of Illinois. She continued working full-time and completed her law degree at both St. Louis University and John Marshall Law School. While working full-time as a physician, she recently completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics and Healthy Policy at Loyola, and is currently completing another Master’s in Public Health. During these years she also had the privilege of being a member of the Army Reserves and is a Veteran Army Major and has been adjunct teaching faculty at DePaul University, and continues regularly as adjunct faculty at Benedictine University, teaching “Ethical and Political Issues in Public Health”. She lives with her husband, Harold P. Welsch, who is an entrepreneurship professor at DePaul University. Both are active in their church and volunteer in local community activities. Barbara is a life-long learner and avid mentor for many students and patients who benefit from her guidance. She enjoys biking, motor scooters, swimming, reading, endless walking, Ping-Pong, horseshoes and bowling. Barbara has a great love for dogs and horses, as well as animals in general. Barbara is finally a candidate you can believe in, you can have faith in her integrity and ethics. Barbara’s life by any measure has been a life of service in law, medicine, ethics, military, religion and education. If you want something done give it to a busy person, Barbara has more than proven her commitment to excellence and personal discipline. She will serve Illinois in a shining manner and restore our pride in this great state.