From Social Worker to Legislator
How does your past career as a social worker shape the way you approach legislation and advocate for your constituents?
I am a social worker by heart, education and experience. The field of social work shapes both the issues I take on and how I approach every facet of the State Rep role. I lead on behavioral health, human services and homelessness because I butted up against systemic barriers when I was a youth and family counselor, a case manager, and a homeless street outreach worker. I myself felt the hardship of trying to make ends meet as an underpaid human service professional, even after my MSW, so adequate compensation for our front line workforce is a top priority.
In my district, I show up relentlessly in my community to deeply listen, meet people where they are at, and build trust so we can make change together – both in the community and in state policy. Our small team works to “get close” to how our policies actually play out on the ground so we can use our power to make the government truly work for people.
Many residents in your district face civil legal challenges — from housing instability to family law issues — yet access to legal aid remains out of reach for far too many. As the legislature works through budget priorities, where does expanding access to justice fit in?
Legal aid is a cornerstone tool to hold people, systems and government accountable to the law, in particular on behalf of Illinoisans with less resources. I appreciate that legal aid in Illinois is more organized and coordinated than ever before, providing more clarity to consumers on how to simply navigate the system and explore support. While everyone deserves access to accountability, it’s crystal clear that the demand for legal support vastly outweighs available resources. With this in mind, funding legal aid at scale will continue to be a top priority.
Springfield can be an intense place. When you need to decompress or recharge between session days, what’s your go-to?
Instead of racing out of town when session wraps, I catch up on work in my office and then hit the gym before the long drive home which helps to clear my head. Back home, I love walking in the Cook County Forest Preserves and patronizing local bakeries and coffee shops.
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