Illinois Senate District 21
The Illinois State Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly. It is made up of 59 senators elected from individual legislative districts determined by population.To be eligible to serve as a member of the General Assembly, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 21 years old, and for the two years preceding his election or appointment, a resident of the district which he is to represent.As of the 2020 Census, Illinois state senators represented an average of 217,335 residents.Salary: $93,712 [Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_State_Senate ]
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Laura Ellman
(Dem)
What role, if any, should the state play in addressing rising healthcare costs and ensuring access to care for residents?
What are your budget priorities for Illinois?
What principles will guide you when evaluating legislative district maps?
How should Illinois ensure all students have access to quality public education?
How should Illinois balance energy reliability, cost, and environmental considerations when addressing evolving energy needs?
Campaign Phone
8155307290
I believe that healthcare and economic stability should not be mutually exclusive. In Springfield, my focus is on a high-functioning government that serves every resident. By protecting Medicaid expansion and maximizing federal matching funds, we aren’t just providing a safety net; we are investing in preventative services and mental health resources that lower long-term taxpayer costs. I am committed to fiscally responsible oversight that strengthens our healthcare infrastructure while ensuring no neighbor has to choose between a doctor’s visit and their mortgage. Healthcare is a fundamental right, and I will continue to advocate for transparent, accessible care that reflects our shared values of equity and dignity.
My budget priorities for Illinois are rooted in a data-driven approach that emphasizes transparency and long-term fiscal stability. I prioritize the Evidence-Based Funding formula for K-12 schools and robust STEAM investments to ensure the 21st District remains a hub for a high-tech, skilled workforce. By meeting our pension obligations, we create a predictable economic environment where local businesses and families can thrive together. Furthermore, I am committed to a budget that reflects our values by protecting reproductive freedom and positioning Illinois as a leader in clean energy. By focusing on measurable outcomes and fiscal responsibility, we can meet our state’s obligations while ensuring Illinois remains a safe, sustainable, and
My approach to evaluating legislative district maps is rooted in the engineering principles of data integrity, transparency, and geographic logic. The fundamental goal of redistricting must be to ensure that voters choose their representatives, rather than representatives choosing their voters. I am committed to a process that prioritizes compactness and contiguity, ensuring that districts reflect the natural boundaries of our neighborhoods rather than political convenience.
Protecting the integrity of the Voting Rights Act is non-negotiable; we must ensure that the representation of minority communities is preserved and not diluted. By utilizing the most recent census data to uphold the "one person, one vote" standard, we can keep communit
Quality education is the engine of economic opportunity, and my approach is centered on evidence-based funding. This data-driven model ensures state resources are directed to the districts that need them most, reducing over-reliance on local property taxes and narrowing the gap between zip codes. We must continue to bridge the "adequacy gap" to ensure every classroom has the specialized staff and technology required for 21st-century success. Beyond the K-12 formula, I prioritize expanding early childhood education and strengthening STEAM and vocational training pipelines. By investing in the whole student, we build a more equitable, skilled workforce and a stronger future for all Illinoisans.
As an engineer, my approach to our energy transition is rooted in data and diversification to ensure reliability without sacrificing our climate goals. I am proud to have supported legislation saving our carbon-free nuclear fleet, which serves as the backbone of a grid that must balance wind, solar, and hydrogen. Through my work on the Hydrogen Economy Task Force, I am championing hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industry while securing Illinois’ position as a Midwest energy hub and creating sustainable union jobs. By utilizing an evidence-based framework, we can meet our 100% carbon-free targets through a stable, predictable marketplace that protects consumers from cost spikes and fosters the innovation necessary for a modern, resilient econo
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