Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 17th district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Laura Fine |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Glenview, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Indiana University (BA) Loyola University (JD) Northwestern University (LLM) |
| Occupation | Illinois State Representative |
| Profession | Human Rights Attorney[1] |
| Committees | Immigration & Human Rights Committee (Chairperson); Energy & Environment; Judiciary - Civil (Chairperson); Mental Health & Addiction |
| Website | ILGA Page |
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz is a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 17th district. The 17th district includes all or parts of Evanston, Glenview, Golf, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Skokie and Wilmette.[2]
Electoral career
[edit]Gong-Gershowitz received the Democratic nomination in the election to succeed Rep. Laura Fine, who was not seeking re-election and instead running for Illinois State Senate. Gong-Gershowitz won the 2018 general election with 69.2% of the vote and was re-elected in 2020. She was sworn in to her second term in 2021. She is the second Chinese American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly after Theresa Mah.[3]
Illinois House of Representatives
[edit]Committees
[edit]Gong-Gershowitz currently serves on four committees: the Immigration & Human Rights committee; the Energy & Environment committee; the Judiciary - Civil committee; and the Mental Health & Addiction committee. Additionally, she is the chairperson for both the Immigration & Human Rights committee and the Judiciary - Civil committee.
Legislation
[edit]Gong-Gershowitz has introduced several bills that have gone on to become law. This includes HB0376, which requires Illinois schools to create a unit of curriculum dedicated to studying Asian-American history,[4] as well as HB0709, which required the Illinois Department of Human Services "to conduct a public information campaign to educate immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other noncitizens residing in Illinois of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois laws that apply regardless of immigration status."[5]
Personal life
[edit]Gong-Gershowitz resides in Glenview with her husband and three sons. She is a human rights attorney by trade.
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | 7,800 | 36.61 | |
| Democratic | Candance Chow | 7,165 | 33.63 | |
| Democratic | Mary Rita Luecke | 3,526 | 16.55 | |
| Democratic | Alexandra Eidenberg | 1,812 | 8.51 | |
| Democratic | Pete Dagher | 1,002 | 4.70 | |
| Total votes | 21,305 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz | 34,328 | 69.20 | |
| Republican | Peter Lee | 15,281 | 30.80 | |
| Total votes | 49,609 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (incumbent) | 42,471 | 67.62 | −1.58% | |
| Republican | Yesoe Yoon | 18728 | 29.82 | −0.98% | |
| Green | Christopher Kruger | 1606 | 2.56 | N/A | |
| Total votes | 62,805 | 100.0 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (incumbent) | 29,057 | 71.38 | +3.76% | |
| Republican | Bradley Martin | 11648 | 28.62 | −1.20% | |
| Total votes | 40,705 | 100.0 | |||
References
[edit]- ^ "Biography". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "PA 97-0006 Legislative District 9" (PDF). May 18, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ Gong-Gershowitz, Jennifer (March 5, 2018). "Democratic candidate for Illinois House, 17th District: Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz" (Interview). Interviewed by Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
My name is Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz. I'm the granddaughter of Chinese immigrants whose legacy inspired me to do human rights and social justice work.
- ^ "Bill Status of HB0376". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Bill Status of HB0709". ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Election Results 2022 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2023-12-04.[permanent dead link]