Robyn Gabel
2010 - Present
2025
14
Robyn Gabel (Democratic Party) is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing District 18. She assumed office in 2010. Her current term ends on January 8, 2025.
Gabel (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent District 18. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. She advanced from the Democratic primary on March 19, 2024.
Biography
Gabel earned her B.A. in anthropology from Beloit College in 1975, her M.P.H. in public health from the University of Illinois in 1979 and her M.J. in health law from Loyola University Law School, Chicago. Her professional experience includes working as the executive director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition from 1988 to 2010, as co-director of Chicago Women's Health Center from 1980 to 1987, as training coordinator for Planned Parenthood from 1979 to 1980 and as a legislative aid to Alderman Luis Gutierrez.[1]
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Gabel was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations-Human Services Committee
- Energy & Environment Committee
- House Human Services Committee
- House Insurance Committee
- Museums, Arts, & Cultural Enhancements Committee
- State Government Administration Committee
2021-2022
Gabel was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy & Environment Committee
- House Human Services Committee
- House Insurance Committee
- Museums, Arts, & Cultural Enhancements Committee
- Appropriations-Human Services Committee
- State Government Administration Committee
2019-2020
Gabel was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations-Human Services Committee, Chair
- Museums, Arts, & Cultural Enhancements Committee
- Energy & Environment Committee, Vice chair
- House Insurance Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Appropriations-Human Services, Vice chair |
| • Business Growth & Incentives |
| • Elections & Campaign Finance |
| • Environment |
| • Human Services, Chair |
| • Insurance: Health & Life |
| • Museums, Arts, & Cultural Enhancement, Vice chair |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Gabel served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Appropriations-Human Services, Vice chair |
| • Environment |
| • Human Services, Chair |
| • Insurance |
| • Juvenile Justice & System-Involved |
| • Museums, Arts, & Cultural Enhancement, Vice chair |
| • Renewable Energy & Sustainability |
| • Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development |
| • Youth & Young Adults |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Gabel served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Appropriations-Human Services, Vice chair |
| • Business Growth & Incentives |
| • Environment |
| • Human Services, Chair |
| • Insurance |
| • Mass Transit |
| • Museums, Arts, & Cultural Enhancement, Vice chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Gabel served on the following committees:
| Illinois committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Appropriations-Human Services, Vice chair |
| • Environmental Health |
| • Health & Healthcare Disparities |
| • Insurance |
| • International Trade & Commerce |
| • Mass Transit |
| • Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel and Charles Hutchinson are running in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
 | Robyn Gabel (D) | |
 | Charles Hutchinson (R) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel | 100.0 | 13,648 |
| Total votes: 13,648 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Charles Hutchinson advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Charles Hutchinson | 100.0 | 1,315 |
| Total votes: 1,315 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
Endorsements
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2022
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel defeated Charles Hutchinson in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel (D) | 81.3 | 32,808 |
| Charles Hutchinson (R) | 18.7 | 7,542 | |
| Total votes: 40,350 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel | 100.0 | 13,635 |
| Total votes: 13,635 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Charles Hutchinson advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Charles Hutchinson | 100.0 | 1,987 |
| Total votes: 1,987 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel defeated Sean Matlis in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel (D) | 72.3 | 43,607 |
 | Sean Matlis (Independent) | 27.7 | 16,699 | |
| Total votes: 60,306 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel | 100.0 | 23,991 |
| Total votes: 23,991 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel defeated Julie Cho in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel (D) | 72.1 | 37,966 |
 | Julie Cho (R) | 27.9 | 14,697 | |
| Total votes: 52,663 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Incumbent Robyn Gabel advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Robyn Gabel | 100.0 | 19,926 |
| Total votes: 19,926 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18
Julie Cho advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 18 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Julie Cho | 100.0 | 3,944 |
| Total votes: 3,944 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives were held in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was November 30, 2015.[2]
Incumbent Robyn Gabel defeated Jessica Tucker in the Illinois House of Representatives District 18 general election.[3][4]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 18 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Robyn Gabel Incumbent |
64.13% | 36,794 | |
| Republican | Jessica Tucker | 35.87% | 20,580 | |
| Total Votes | 57,374 | |||
| Source: Illinois State Board of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Robyn Gabel ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 18 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 18 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Robyn Gabel Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Jessica Tucker ran unopposed in the Illinois House of Representatives District 18 Republican primary.[7][8]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 18 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Jessica Tucker (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Illinois House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 18, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 2, 2013. Incumbent Robyn Gabel ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.[9][10][11]
2012
Gabel won re-election in the 2012 election for Illinois House of Representatives District 18. Gabel was unopposed in the March 20 Democratic primary and defeated Eric J. Lieberman (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[12][13][14]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robyn Gabel Incumbent |
62.8% | 32,545 | |
| Republican | Eric J. Lieberman | 37.2% | 19,292 | |
| Total Votes | 51,837 | |||
2010
Gabel won re-election to the 18th District seat against Libertarian Steve Funk. She defeated Patrick Keenan-Devlin(4,084 votes), Eamon Kelly(3,950 votes), Jeffrey Smith(1,909 votes), and Edmund Moran(1,698 votes) in the Democratic primary on February 2nd. The general election took place on November 2, 2010.[15]
| Illinois House of Representatives, District 18 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Robyn Gabel (D)
|
28,154 | 99.60% | ||
| Steve Funk (L) | 114 | 0.40% | ||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Robyn Gabel did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Candidate Conversations
Moderated by journalist and political commentator Greta Van Susteren, Candidate Conversations is a virtual debate format that allows voters to easily get to know their candidates through a short video Q&A.
Click below to watch the conversation for this race.
Robyn Gabel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gabel's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I am from Evanston, IL, and have represented the people of the 18th District in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2010. Throughout my career, I have served the people of Illinois as an advocate for all, especially women, children and the most disadvantaged. During my time in the House, I have earned a reputation as an effective and independent legislative leader.
I serve as the Chair of Appropriations - Human Services Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, as well as being a member of the committees on Insurance, and Museums, Arts and Cultural Enhancements. I am also Chair of the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus, a non-partisan group of energy conscious legislators, and the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, a bi-national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to good policy-making related to our Great Lakes.
Before coming to the legislature I served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition (since renamed EverThrive Illinois) from 1988 to 2010.
- Good government: I believe that our democracy is based on "one person, one vote". I have made Illinois a national leader on voting access and expanded rights for the most marginalized. Illinois has too many governmental bodies. I was able to eliminate a redundant township and open the door to reducing others. I know good policy thrives when government is operating with efficiency and accountability. I have the skills and experience needed to lead in this critical time.
- Protecting our environment: As Chairs of the Illinois Green Legislative Caucus and the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus and Vice-chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, I am a champion for our environment. I believe future generations deserve a healthy environment regardless of their economic status, and I know that there is no time left to wait to right the course of our climate.
- Reproductive rights: It's no secret reproductive rights are under attack. In Illinois, we're doing something about it. I shepherded passage of the Reproductive Health Act, which guarantees access to reproductive health care for women even if Roe v. Wade is overturned. I continue to work to expand healthcare coverage for new mothers, birth control and all birthing options.
My areas of focus have been ensuring the safety of our children, expanding access to social services, championing environmental and clean energy issues including efforts to promote wind, solar and other renewable energy, guaranteeing the rights of women and children, reforming government to be inclusive and effective, providing easily accessible voting rights, advocating for fair wages and reducing and preventing gun violence.
I remember the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The TV was on in school and the headlines flashed that the President had been shot. I was 10 years old and it was a shocking event.
It is beneficial to have a solid understanding of the legislative process and people involved, but a deep understanding of the issues that affect the District and meaningful relationships in the community one seeks to represent is most critical.
We must tackle climate change so that we have a world to live in. Also, our state is facing a deepening budget crisis and growing income inequality. We need to continue to address our pension obligations and make important budget decisions.
I have devoted my career to ensuring Illinoisans get the care and services that they need. In my role as Chair of Appropriations-Human Services I get to work closely on our state's budget to make sure it is a reflection of our values.
Babara Flynn Currie is the first woman to serve as Majority Leader in the Illinois House of Representatives and was a personal mentor to me during our time together in the legislature. She modeled fairness and was a champion for her constituents.
A constituent came to my office to discuss trespassing laws around railroad tracks. He desired to prevent trespassing by allowing local governments to build fences or other barriers to the tracks. Currently, funds were not available for these types of projects, they could only be used for grade crossings.
After further discussion, he revealed that his daughter had lost her life trespassing on train tracks. It was a moving moment. He has since devoted his life to improving rail safety so this does not happen to another person.
I have been working with him to change policy and have now filed legislation to allow funds to be used to prevent trespassing along the track.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2012
Gabel's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[16]
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Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Illinois scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 27.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 5 to April 9.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 1.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 23.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through December 31.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 31.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31. There were also special sessions. The 1st special session was June 21-July 6. The 2nd special session was July 26-July 31. During the 3rd special session, the Senate met on August 13, and the House met on August 16. The 4th special session was on August 28-29. There was a veto session from October 24-November 9.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 13 through May 31.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 7 (extended session).
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 29 through June 2.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 9 through May 31.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Illinois State Legislature was in session from January 11 through May 31.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Gabel and her husband, Ivan, have one child.[1]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Officeholder Illinois House of Representatives District 18 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Project Vote Smart, "Robyn Gabel's Biography," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election and Campaign Finance Calendar," accessed November 30, 2015
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate list: General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election results, General election 2016," accessed December 15, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed January 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Results: GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/15/2016," accessed August 8, 2016
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Board of Elections, "General Primary Election Official Canvass," April 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, "Official general election candidate list," accessed March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed December 5, 2011
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official 2012 Primary Results," accessed May 14, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, “Official Vote - November 6, 2012 General Election,” accessed January 18, 2013
- ↑ Illinois Elections Division, "Illinois Official 2010 General Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Robyn Gabel, "Issues," accessed October 24, 2012
- ↑ Citizen Action Illinois, "99th General Assembly Legislative Scorecard 2016," accessed July 11, 2017
- ↑ Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities, "2016 Illinois Community Living Report," accessed July 11, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Illinois House of Representatives District 18 2010-Present |
Succeeded by - |
