The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Illinois General Assembly. Alongside the Illinois State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Illinois state government and works alongside the governor of Illinois to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Illinois House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
I earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, training that strengthened my skills in fiscal analysis, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making. Professionally, I served as Director of Legislative and Community Affairs at the Chicago Park District and as Commissioner and Vice President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, overseeing large public budgets, infrastructure systems, and long-term planning.
Now, as State Representative for Illinois’ 5th District and Chair of the House Museums, Arts, Culture & Entertainment Committee, I apply operational knowledge to policymaking and understand how legislation is implemented.
Economic Revitalization & Cultural Investment: Illinois’ cultural institutions are economic engines that create jobs, drive tourism, and anchor neighborhoods. As Chair of the House Museums, Arts, Culture & Entertainment Committee, I advance policies that strengthen small businesses, expand arts investment, support tourism, and ensure equitable growth.
Consumer Protection & Utility Reform: Families deserve fairness in utility bills. I have led efforts to curb deceptive practices, strengthen oversight, improve billing transparency, and protect affordability.
Youth Civic Engagement: Through the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. Young Voter Empowerment Law, I am expanding civic education and voter registration in high schools to strengthen democracy
Illinois’ long-term fiscal health requires fiscal discipline paired with strategic investment. Every dollar should be evidence-based, outcome-driven, and accountable. I support targeted investments that generate economic return—modern infrastructure, workforce development, public safety prevention, and growth sectors—while maintaining transparency and responsible debt management.
Illinois should invest more in preventative healthcare, climate resilience, cultural and tourism development, and public transportation to reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness. At the same time, we must spend more efficiently by reducing duplicative administrative costs, leveraging responsible public private partnerships, and strengthening oversight.
Investing in infrastructure is essential to Illinois’ long-term stability, public health, and economic resilience. I have advanced sustainability initiatives, transit modernization, and legislation to ensure infrastructure anchors post-pandemic recovery. My priorities include climate resilience through clean energy, green infrastructure, and system modernization, especially in vulnerable communities. I support strengthening regional transit coordination, expanding workforce pipelines tied to infrastructure and clean energy, and balancing public safety through accountability, prevention, and community investment. Proactive governance prevents crises and delivers lasting stability.
Public safety is an ecosystem that requires accountability, prevention, opportunity, and trust. I support continued justice reforms that strengthen transparency and fairness while ensuring law enforcement has modern training and clear standards. Sustainable safety also requires prevention—expanding evidence-based violence intervention, restorative justice, reentry support, and mental health crisis services. Addressing root causes through workforce development, youth engagement, housing stability, and economic opportunity strengthens communities and reduces harm. Reform strengthens safety by building trust and long-term stability.
