Elections Archives

How We Did

Elections | 11/10/2022

Aimee Galvin Government Affairs Director

Illinoisans made their voices heard. Up and down the state, Election Day showed intensity and dedication in so many races on the ballot.

The same is true for races where Stand for Children IL PAC made endorsements. We supported a diverse group of education equity and racial justice champions who would stand up for Illinois children and families. We’re proud of each candidate and congratulate these winning endorsed candidates:

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (HD-17)
Rep. Robyn Gabel (HD-18)
Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (HD-19)
Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (HD-41)
Fred Crespo (HD-44)
Diane Blair-Sherlock (HD-46)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (HD-50)
Rep. Mark Walker (HD-53)
Rep. Michelle Mussman (HD-56)
Rep. Daniel Didech (HD-59)
Rep. Joyce Mason (HD-61)
Laura Faver Dias (HD-62)
Rep. Suzanne Ness (HD-66)
Gregg Johnson (HD-72)
Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (HD-81)
Sharon Chung (HD-91)
Rep. Amy Elik (HD-111)
Rep. Katie Stuart (HD-112)

Sen. Laura Fine (SD-9)
Sen. Dan McConchie (SD-26)
Mary Edly-Allen (SD-31)
Sen. Doris Turner (SD-48)

We congratulate these candidates, and the candidates who did not win but ran great campaigns. Some of the endorsed races are still too close to call, so this list could yet grow. In the end, it shows that education champions represent districts up and down our state and remain committed to building a brighter future for us all.

Now that Election Day is behind us, the real work of building that brighter future begins.

I hope you’ll join us.

Make it Count

Elections | 11/8/2022

Brandi Watts Educator Partnerships Director

All the campaign ads, canvassers, mailers, and texts have led us to one of my favorite places on earth: the voting booth.

Election Day is when our voices are heard louder than ever. It’s when we speak up for candidates who support education equity and racial justice. For folks who support Illinois children and families.

If you haven’t already, today is your day to speak up. Find your polling location here.

We watched and listened, friends – now it’s our turn to be heard.

Not Much Time Left

Elections | 11/3/2022

Aimee Galvin Government Affairs Director

Campaign season is flying, and we’re nearly at the finish line. Have you made your plan to vote? You have three ways to vote on or before Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.

Vote Early

You can cast your ballot any time between now and Election Day.

Vote By Mail

If you requested a ballot and have not retuned it, now is the time! Ballots must be postmarked on or before November 8 and must arrive at the office of the local election authority by November 22 to be counted.

Vote On Election Day

Election Day is next Tuesday, November 8. Find your polling place here.

With less than a week before Election Day, it’s go-time for voters.

It’s so important for us to make our voices heard in this election. Issues like education equity and racial justice are on the ballot, and we need champions who will stand up for Illinois children and families.

Take a few moments to make your plan to vote. Plan out when you will vote, where, and how you will get there.

Remember, at Stand we show up, we speak up, we reach out, and we vote.

Paid for by Stand for Children IL PAC

Stand’s Endorsed Candidates

Elections | 10/12/2022

Mimi Rodman Chairperson

If your experience has been anything like mine, every time you turn on the TV or go to the mailbox, you can’t avoid campaign ads or mailers. It’s definitely campaign season in Illinois.

Campaign season means something to us here at Stand, too, as we look for candidates to champion issues related to education equity and racial justice. These elections can have such a huge impact on those issues and so many others.

Today, Stand for Children IL PAC is pleased to announce our support for a group of diverse and committed education champions for the General Assembly. In Springfield, they will stand up for Illinois children and families.

For the 2022 General Election, Stand for Children IL PAC endorses the following candidates for the General Assembly.

For the Illinois House:

Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D)17^th District
Rep. Robyn Gabel (D) 18^th District
Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D) 19^th District
Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D) 41^st District
Diane Blair-Sherlock (D) 46^th District
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D) 50^th District
Rep. Mark Walker (D) 53^rd District
Rep. Michelle Mussman (D) 56^th District
Rep. Daniel Didech (D) 59^th District
Rep. Joyce Mason (D) 61^st District
Laura Faver Dias (D) 62^nd District
Rep. Suzanne Ness (D) 66^th District
Gregg Johnson (D) 72^nd District
Rep. Anne Stava-Murray (D) 81^st District
Rep. Keith Wheeler (R) 83^rd District
Sharon Chung (D) 91^st District
Rep. Amy Elik (R) 111^th District
Rep. Katie Stuart (D) 112^th District

For the Illinois Senate:

Sen. Laura Fine (D) 9th District
Sen. Dan McConchie (R) 26^th District
Mary Edly-Allen (D) 31^st District
Sen. Doris Turner (D) 48^th District
Sen. Kris Tharp (D) 56^th District

We’ll be in touch soon as Election Day nears with more updates. In the meantime, I hope you’ll make a plan to vote and urge your family and friends to do the same.

(Paid for by Stand for Children IL PAC)

Our Endorsements

Elections | 05/18/2022

Mimi Rodman Executive Director

The past few years have exposed a gap between the haves and the have-nots when it comes to issues like quality education, economic opportunity, and equity.

State and local elections have a profound impact on these issues and so much more. That’s why voting is one of the most important ways to elevate your voice on the issues which matter most.

It’s because of that impact that Stand for Children IL PAC is pleased to support a group of education champions for the General Assembly. The candidates we support in the June 28th Primary Election reflect the rich fabric of the Prairie State and stand up for the children of Illinois.

Today, we are pleased to announce the first round of Stand for Children IL PAC’s endorsements for the 2022 Primary Election:

Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D) 19th District
Rep. Michael J. Zalewski (D) 21st District
Rep. Justin Slaughter (D) 27th District
Chelsea Laliberte Barnes (D) 51st District
Laura Faver Dias (D) 62nd District
Gregg Johnson (D) 72nd District
Rep. Kathleen Willis (D) 77th District
Rep. Tony McCombie (R) 89th District
Sharon Chung (D) 91st District
Rep. Natalie Manley (D) 98th District
Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R) 117th District

If you live in a district with an endorsed candidate, we’ll be in touch soon with more info about why we support their election. (We only endorse in contested races.) If you don’t, no need to worry; we will reach out soon as Election Day nears with more updates. In the meantime, sign this pledge to show you understand that elections matter.

Good Leaders Matter More than Ever

Elections | 03/18/2020

Mimi Rodman PAC Chairperson

As I read last night’s election results, the term “public servant” started taking on a deeper meaning.

A public servant is typically defined as a government official, particularly someone elected to office, whose job is to serve the greater good.

I suggest, in this time of a global health crisis, that each of us strives to have a stronger “public servant” mindset in service of the greater good.

We are seeing by the minute the consequences of government action (and inaction) at all levels. The impact of decisions made by school boards and legislatures, as well as the federal government, are revealing themselves. Some decisions have been confounding, some discerning, others courageous.

Like it or not, each of us shares a degree of involvement in how things are unfolding. Through our votes, advocacy, and actions — and our complacency, indifference, and inaction — we played a role in picking the decision makers and influencing their decisions.

Eleven of the 12 Stand-endorsed candidates for the Illinois House and Senate won or appear headed for victory in their primaries. Some results aren’t definitive since there are large numbers of ballots in Chicago and elsewhere in the state that are yet to be counted. The full list of winning and leading candidates are:

For State Senate

Sen. Robert Martwick (D-10)
Sen. Robert Peters (D-13)
Sen. Cristina Castro (D-22)
Meg Cappel (D-49)

For State House of Representatives

Rep. Theresa Mah (D-2)
Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-29)
Rep. Jaime Andrade, Jr. (D-40)
Janet Yang Rohr (D-41)
Rep. Rita Mayfield (D-60)
Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-83)
Rep. Avery Bourne (R-95)

Thank you to everyone who played a role in their victories through your votes, dollars, phone calls, social media postings, and door knocking. I can’t imagine any of them anticipated the enormity of the responsibilities falling on their shoulders as public servants, should they win in November. Indeed, many are incumbents and already tasked with making consequential decisions on the state budget and other matters to get Illinois through these challenging times.

Every day is an opportunity for all of us to serve the greater good by educating ourselves on the issues, then taking action that makes a positive impact — through our votes and meaningful advocacy.

I hope with all my heart that you and your families are and remain healthy.

Paid for by Stand for Children Illinois PAC

Stand for Children IL PAC Endorses Ed Champs

Elections | 09/14/2016

Scott McDonald Marketing & Communications Manager

Chicago – Stand for Children Illinois PAC, which supports elected officials and candidates who make the best interests of students a top priority, today announced its endorsement of candidates in the upcoming 2016 general election.

“Our state’s education system has made important gains over the course of the last several years, with the help of policies setting college- and career-ready standards and providing students more opportunities to earn college credit in high school,” said Mimi Rodman, PAC chairperson. “At the same time, we have a long way to go.

The gap between what we spend for our richest and poorest school districts is the worst in the country; that is unconscionable. The need is urgent for education champions who are bold, courageous leaders for all Illinois students.”

Stand for Children IL PAC’s 2016 endorsed candidates are:

For State Senate

Sen. Jim Oberweis (R-25)
Sen. Dan McConchie (R-26)
Sen. Julie Morrison (D-29)
Sen. Melinda Bush (D-31)
Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-49)
Sheila Simon (D-58)
Sen. Gary Forby (D-59)

For State Representative

Rep. Mike McAuliffe (R-20)
Rep. Fred Crespo (D-44)
Rep. Peter Breen (R-48)
Rep. Scott Drury (D-58)
Rep. Carol Sente (D-59)
Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-61)
Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-69)
Rep. Kate Cloonen (D-79)
Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-84)

In the run up to Election Day, Stand for Children IL PAC will provide support through various means, including field operations as well as financial contributions and communications.

Stand for Children IL PAC endorses only in contested races, and any candidate in a contested State House or Senate race is eligible for consideration of endorsement. To arrive at endorsement decisions, Stand for Children IL PAC analyzed voting records and questionnaire responses, and conducted candidate interviews to evaluate the candidate’s viability and conviction to the organization’s policy agenda.

For more information on our endorsed candidates please visit https://stand.org/illinois/electing-education-champions/.

(Paid for by Stand for Children IL PAC)