Judy Biggert was born in Chicago on August 15, 1937 and attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. She is married to Rody Biggert, with whom she has four children: Courtney Caverly, Alison Cabot, Rody Biggert, and Adrienne Morrell, and seven grandchildren: Martin Bray, Gillian and Grant Patterson Caverly, and John Henry, Matthew, and Ethan Cabot, and Greer Morrell. Judy Biggert and her husband reside in Hinsdale, Illinois. Biggert graduated from Stanford University and Northwestern University School of Law.

After graduating with a law degree, Biggert began her legal career as clerk to judge Luther Merritt Swygert of United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the DuPage Bar Association, and the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers.

On April 3, 2008, Biggert presented with the ASME President's Award by ASME President Sam Zamrik as recognition for her "leadership in advancing the science, engineering and technology enterprise which is so vital to this nation"

Biggert began her legislative career in 1992, when she was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives to serve the newly created 81st District. She became the first member of the Illinois House in the 20th Century to be named to leadership after serving only one term.[citation needed] She was re-elected in 1994 and 1996 before running for Congress in 1998. Biggert defeated Peter Roskam in the Republican primary. Biggert earned 61% of the vote to win the seat opened up by the retirement of U. S. Representative Harris Fawell.

Biggert was cited by Glamour Magazine as one of the "New Female Power Players" and by Fortune Magazine as one of "The Picks of Congress' New Litter."

In 2000, Biggert was re-elected with 66% of the vote, and her winning margins have been similarly large in elections since then.[citation needed] She is currently serving on the House Education & Labor Committee, the House Science & Technology Committee, and the House Financial Services Committee — on which she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.[citation needed] In 2003, she co-sponsored legislation that would have provided private sector employees the same workplace flexibility currently available to federal employees; thereby making it easier for parents and other caregivers to balance work and family commitments.

Biggert's other subcommittee assignments include: Housing and Community Opportunity (Financial Services); Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit (Financial Services); Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education(Education and Labor); Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness (Education and Labor); Energy and Environment (Science & Technology), Technology and Innovation (Science & Technology).

Biggert undertook bipartisan support for the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and was key in working with the employer and insurance communities to enable the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act in the House on April 25, 2007. She was the initial sponsor of the bill. She was present when President George W. Bush signed the bill into law on May 21, 2008.

Biggert also serves as Co-chair of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus.[citation needed]

Congresswoman Biggert has a proven track record of working with both Democratic and Republican members to enact legislation. Her work with the Chairman of the House Rules Committee, Democrat Louise Slaughter (D-NY) led to the enactment of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (H.R. 493); which bars employers and insurers from discriminating against individuals on the basis of their genes. She continues to author numerous other bipartisan bills and is often asked to participate in bipartisan negotiations. Last year, when Congress and the President were hopelessly deadlocked on changes to the State's Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Democrats in the House asked her to lead a negotiating team that lead to the reauthorization of this important program.