Mary Edly Allen
Illinois
Running for: Illinois State Senate, District 31
Illinois
Running for: Illinois State Senate, District 31
Mary is a certified bilingual teacher and has taught and lived in District 31 for over 20 years. Her mother was an educator, and her father was a maintenance worker and Navy veteran of the Korean War. As a single mother of four sons, Mary understands the needs of hardworking Illinois families.
During her term serving as an Illinois State Representative, Mary worked across the aisle to pass common-sense laws that continue to benefit her community. Mary is now running to represent District 31 in the Illinois State Senate.
Priorities:
Protect a woman’s right to choose
Lower taxes, boost Illinois manufacturing, and bring supply chains home
Advocate for all of our diverse communities
Create real ethics reform in Springfield
Strengthen laws to reduce crime and gun violence
Invest in child care, paid leave, and mental health resources to help families
Judge Elizabeth Rochford
Illinois
Running for: Supreme Court of Illinois, District 2
Illinois
Running for: Supreme Court of Illinois, District 2
Judge Elizabeth Rochford's passion for service started as a child growing up with her father, a Chicago police officer, and her mother, a special education teacher.
She began her career as Assistant State's Attorney before moving into private law practice. Rochford served for 23 years as Commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims and has served as a judge for the past nine years.
Her recent distinctions include the 2021 Lake County Democratic Women’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award, 2020 ISBA Carole K. Bellows Woman of Influence Award, the Lake County Women’s Association (LCWA) 2019 Woman of Significance Award, and the LCBA’s 2019 Access to Justice Award.
Priorities:
Combating racial injustice
Accessibility to justice
Nabeela Syed
Illinois
Running for: Illinois State House, District 51
Illinois
Running for: Illinois State House, District 51
Nabeela Syed is running for the 51st District in the Illinois State House of Representatives. Syed was born and raised in Palatine, Illinois, brought up in the public school system, and has spent her free time organizing for her community whether it be as an academic mentor for students, canvassing to help get Democrats elected in Schaumburg, or working tirelessly to ensure all eligible Illinoisans are able to exercise their right to vote.
Syed holds a degree in Political Science and Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. At UC Berkeley, Syed served as president of a consulting organization dedicated to helping small businesses and nonprofits pro-bono. Syed also managed a campaign for current Township High School District 211 School Board Member Tim McGowan, centered on equity, inclusion, and accountability in Illinois public schools. Syed currently works for a digital strategy nonprofit aiding in civic engagement and social justice whose efforts include gender equity, supporting survivors of sexual violence on college campuses, and voter mobilization. Syed has always felt at home in her community and is running for Illinois House of Representatives District 51 to make sure others feel the same.
Priorities:
Reproductive rights
The economy (especially for small businesses and working families)
Healthcare accessibility
Public safety
Environment
Education